LibGuides: Geospatial Data: Ontario

Government of Ontario Data Sources

Geospatial Data Portals and Catalogues

When searching for geospatial (GIS) datasets produced by the Government of Ontario by start by searching Ontario GeoHub. It is important to note that not alll geospatial data produced by the Government of Ontario is available for download via the Ontario GeoHub. Some of the data are also available via Geology Ontario, Ontario Data Catalogue, and Scholars Geoportal.

Ontario GEOHub
Government of Ontario's Ontario’s authoritative catalogue of geospatial data, maps and tools. Includes data about agriculture, boundaries, elevation, forestry, geology, health, imagery and base maps, planning and cadastral, plants and animals, society and culture, transportation, utilities, and communication. If you are looking for data to download in Ontario GeoHub, do a keyword search for the dataset, then select "feature services". If you find a geospatial dataset that is only available as a web map or cannot be downloaded directly via Ontario GeoHub and the Ontario Data Catalogue, search Scholars Geoportal to download the dataset.
Geology Ontario - OGS Earth
OGS Earth contains the GIS datasets produced by the Ontario Geological Survey. The datasets are available in Google Earth format, as well as other GIS formats.
Ontario Data Catalogue
This portal includes some geospatial data sources not listed in the Ontario GeoHub Catalogue.
Scholars Geoportal
Scholars Geoportal provides access to GIS data that are licensed for educational purposes such as imagery data from the Government of Ontario and GIS data from DMTI (a GIS corporation that produces good quality GIS data). Most of the GIS datasets in Scholars Geoportal is only available to current faculty, students, and researchers at York University.

GIS data and map layers topic via Ontario GeoHub

Agriculture GIS Datasets via Ontario GeoHub
Boundary GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Elevation GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Forestry and Ecology GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Geology GIS data and map layers from Ontario GeoHub
Oak Ridges Moraine Data via GeoHub
Ontario Greenbelt Datasets via Ontario GeoHub
Ontario Hydro Network GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Government of Ontario's official hydrographic (water feature) dataset of Ontario.
Ontario Road Network GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Government of Ontario's official GIS dataset of the road network in Ontario.
Ontario Railway Network via Ontario GeoHub
Government of Ontario's official GIS dataset of the railway network in Ontario.
Health GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Imagery and Basemaps GIS data and map layers via Ontario GeoHub
Note: most of the imagery and basemaps are not for download via Ontario GeoHub. To download imagery and base map files for use in a GIS, use Scholars Geoportal.
Planning and Cadastral GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Plants and Animals GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Society of Culture GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Transportation GIS data via Ontario GeoHub
Utilities and Communications GIS data layers via Ontario GeoHub
Water GIS data via Ontario GeoHub

Ontario Data Available via Scholars Geoportal and GAIA

Below is a list of purchased and legacy licensed geospatial datasets that have been acquired by York University Libraries.\These datasets are only available to current researchers, students, and faculty members at York University. Most of the data can be downloaded via Scholars Geoportal, whereas other datasets can be ordered via the GAIA data request system.

Frequently Accessed Datasets

CanMap Enhanced Points of Interest
DMTI. Access via the Geoportal
Ecological Land Classification (ELC) via Scholars Geoportal
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry defines ecological units on the basis of bedrock, climate (temperature, precipitation), physiography (soils, slope, aspect) and corresponding vegetation.
This enhances their compatibility with national and continental classification systems. The ELC of Ontario is used for descriptive, planning, and resource management purposes.
The upper levels in its hierarchy may be relevant for provincial and municipal land-use planning initiatives. The lower (finer-scale) levels of the hierarchy are most useful for detailed resource management prescriptions and other local and site planning applications.This packaged dataset is classified into 3 hierarchical categories: Ecozone, Ecoregion and Ecodistrict.
Ontario Digital Elevation Model 3.0
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Access via the Geoportal
Ontario Parcel Data
Most recent data is available for 2023. Teranet Inc. Order via our GAIA request system.
Satellite Streeview: Ontario
Satellite images generated for cities and/or regions in Ontario. Access via Scholars Geoportal.
Surficial Geology of Southern Ontario
Ontario Geological Survey. Access via the Geoportal.

Legacy (Retired) Datasets

CanMap Route File
DMTI. Coverage from 2001-2014. Access via the Geoportal
Ontario Base Map (OBM) - Topographic Maps 1:10,000 & 1:20,000
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Digital data available via Geoportal.
Ontario Wind Resource Information
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Order via our GAIA request system.
Niagara Escarpment Plan Digital Data and Maps
Niagara Escarpment Commission data. Access via Scholars Geoportal.
Places to Grow: GIS Files for the Built Boundary for the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, 2006
Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Order via our GAIA request system.

Open Data - Ontario Municipalities

Open Data - Regional Municipalities, Counties, and Conservation Authories

GIS Data about Ontario produced by the Government of Canada

Ontario Health Regions
Statistics Canada.
Road Network File - Natural Resources Canada
Available for download in SHP, AutoCAD DWG and DXF, GML, and other formats.