About Us

The Polar Data Catalogue is an online searchable database of metadata that describes, catalogues and identifies access points to the diverse data sets generated by polar researchers. The research is conducted under the auspices of a wide variety of programs, including ArcticNet, the Northern Contaminants Program, NSERC-funded programs and the Government of Canada Program for the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008. The scope of the research covers a range of disciplines, from natural sciences to policy to health and social sciences.

The wealth of knowledge and data generated by polar research must be managed, to ensure and maximize the exchange and accessibility of relevant data, and to leave a lasting legacy. The Polar Data Catalogue was developed as a collaborative effort between ArcticNet, the Canadian Cryospheric Information Network (CCIN), and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to facilitate the exchange of information about the Canadian Arctic among researchers and other user groups, including northern communities and international programs. Several other organizations and agencies actively participated in its development including Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian IPY-Federal program, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Inuit Circumpolar Council, the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP), the ArcticNet Student Association and the Centre for Northern Studies (CEN). Since its online launch in the summer of 2007, it rapidly gained popularity and other programs such as the Government of Canada Program for IPY 2007-2008 and the Northern Contaminants Program have decided to use the Polar Data Catalogue to archive their metadata. The management of the Polar Data Catalogue is now coordinated by the inter-agency Polar Data Management Committee, which include representatives from CCIN, ArcticNet, CEN, NCP, DFO, Environment Canada, and IPY-Canada.

Please consult our online Terms of Use Agreement and Data Policy for more information on the conditions of use.

Metadata is basically data about data. Metadata provides the what, where, when of data and by whom it was collected, as well as its current location. Metadata facilitates the understanding, use, and management of data and is a tool for networking and collaboration. Standardized metadata is an internationally confirming standard of information fields that must be included within the metadata to allow interoperability between metadata management facilities.