GeoConnections Funding for Public Health Projects

Launched in 1999, GeoConnections is a national partnership program led by Natural Resources Canada that is evolving and expanding an online geographic resource for decision-makers. GeoConnections is focusing on four key areas: public health, public safety and security, sustainable development and the environment, and issues of importance to Aboriginal peoples.

GeoConnections is providing approximately $1.6 million to help fund 14 public health research projects in Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and New Brunswick. Project partners will contribute another $2.1 million for a total of $3.7 million in funding.

Project list
Project: Development of Web-based Secure Interface for Sequential Mapping and Spatial Exploration of Surveillance Data
Partner: Public Health Agency of Canada
GeoConnections Funding: $129,100
Benefits: Development of a secure application to study health surveillance data

Project: A Geospatial Application to Report ICES Evidence-Based Disease Surveillance and Population Health Measures
Partner: Institute for Clinical Evaluation Science (ICES), Toronto
GeoConnections Funding: $150,000
Benefits: ICES will produce reliable data and maps reflecting the health status and health services in Ontario

Project: A Spatially Enabled Population Health Framework for Disease Surveillance
Partner: B.C. Ministry of Health Services
GeoConnections Funding: $96,000
Benefits: Development of a Web-based health information tool that can be used to support disease surveillance

Project: Mapping Infectious Disease across the New Brunswick-Maine Border
Partner: New Brunswick Lung Association
GeoConnections Funding: $99,360
Benefits: Information to better protect citizens on both sides of the border from infectious diseases

Project: A Web Portal to Support Decision-Making for Public Health and Land Planning
Partner: Region of Waterloo
GeoConnections Funding: $141,930
Benefits: Municipality will be able to share geospatial information with staff and other organizations

Project: Supporting Zoonotic Disease Surveillance in Canada
Partner: Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence
GeoConnections Funding: $150,000
Benefits: Zoonotic diseases are caused by pathogens that infect animals and are also transmittable to humans. This project will better enable public health officials to respond to such disease outbreaks.

Project: Online Injury Atlas for Ontario
Partner: St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto
GeoConnections Funding: $98,750
Benefits: Increase in public awareness about the threat of injury

Project: Using Real-time Spatial Information to Manage Communicable Diseases
Partner: McGill University, Montreal
GeoConnections Funding: $144,000
Benefits: Tuberculosis (TB) case management and surveillance

Project: National Capital Region Integrated Air Quality Mapping Service
Partner: City of Ottawa
GeoConnections Funding: $149,300
Benefits: Municipal staff will have access to information about the distribution of air pollutants

Project: Ontario Health Service Provider Maps
Partner: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
GeoConnections Funding: $150,000
Benefits: Development of a tool that integrates geospatial data with information about health service providers

Project: Develop Web Applications and Services for Community Health Programs offered in New Brunswick
Partner: New Brunswick Lung Association
GeoConnections Funding: $150,000
Benefits: Development of a Web mapping application targeting respiratory health issues

Project: Ontario Health and Environment Information System
Partner: Cancer Care Ontario
GeoConnections Funding: $150,000
Benefits: Creation of a comprehensive, standardized geographic information system for the rapid assessment of environmental hazards and associated health outcomes

Project: Shared Strategic and Business Geomatics Plan
Partner: Calgary Health Region
GeoConnections Funding: $15,600
Benefits: Creation of a shared strategic and business geomatics plan for the Calgary Consortium

Project: Establishing our GIS Infrastructure Requirements
Partner: Central East Local Health Integration Network, Ajax, Ontario
GeoConnections Funding: $33,000
Benefits: Development of a strategy for GIS capacity building to ensure common standards for the health integration network

GeoConnections funding for these public health projects represents the Government of Canada’s commitment to the development of knowledge, innovation and productivity in the natural resource sectors and elsewhere - giving Canadians the advantage to succeed.