Mandate
This subgroup is working to provide ASCII encoded representations of geoscience data that conform with the eXtensible Markup (XML) and Geographic Markup (GML) languages. The primary motive for this strategy is to represent data that can be parsed and loaded into any number of applications that can read and structure XML/GML encoded geoscience data. Through the process of translating geoscience data into XML/GML, standardized schemas will be built which will contribute towards standardizing data across Canada.

Principles

	XML/GML data translation authority resides with each source agency.
	XML/GML will develop translation procedures for specific data collections within each agency and a corresponding translation to a national schema.
	The XML/GML subgroup will meet with agency representatives and identify data sources for translation. The subgroup will develop common themes (mineral occurrence, geophysical surveys, geochemical data, etc.) for the data types that will be translated.
	The subgroup will work towards integrating XML/GML data into common internet-based map viewers.
	Standard schema will be developed for each geoscience theme that has been identified by the subgroup.

Membership
All Territorial, Provincial and Federal agencies who wish to provide specified geoscience data in a common transfer standard are invited to take part in the subgroup. Members should have knowledge of the data structures for which they want to coordinate conversion to XML/GML. Conversion of identified data collections should be supported by the management of the participating agency.

Charge and roles
1. Overall guidance. The Subgroup specifies the scope of activities for development and implementation of the data model. The Subgroup provides authoritative statements of the model's purpose, its intended use and users, and its relationships with other specifications such as the Canadian Geospatial Data Infrastructure (CGDI), the Open GIS Consortium (OGC) and the XMML working group (Australia)

2. Coordination of technical teams. The Subgroup identifies functional goals for the data model in sufficient detail that a technical team working towards each goal can accomplish clearly specified tasks within one year. For each functional goal, the Subgroup will identify the technical need, state the immediate goals of the team, identify people who can work on the team, and facilitate, evaluate, and disseminate the work of the team. Examples of technical teams may include: conceptual data model design; scientific terminology; software tool development; and policy evolution.

3. Publicity and organizational liaison. The Subgroup works to publicize the model and its supporting products in appropriate conventions, meetings, workshops, and publications. The Subgroup provides information on its progress to the Canadian Geoscience Knowledge Network through the Data Infrastructure Working Group meetings, the National Geological Surveys Committee, and contributing scientists.

4. Communication and Support. The Steering Committee facilitates public discussion and individual guidance regarding both broad issues and technical details of concern in the data model. These discussions and guidance are supported by technical information exchange at the CGKN web site. Members will actively solicit comments and guidance from the technical experts whose interests they represent to the Committee, and will respond regularly to that constituency.

Stewardship
Two co-leaders, one representing Federal agencies and the other the Provincial and Territorial agencies will lead the Subgroup. GSC management and the Committee of Provincial Geologists will appoint the co-leaders, respectively. These leaders will act as the Stewards for this data model and will:

	Lead Subgroup meetings
	Work with Subgroup members to develop meeting agendas
	Compile minutes for each Subgroup meeting
	Oversee the work of contracts let by the Subgroup
	Coordinate technical team activities
	Serve as the official point of contact between the Subgroup and the public

Funding
Each agency will be responsible for maintaining its own database, including the provision of the necessary computer systems to support it and personnel to populate it. Funding will be sought from national programs such as GeoConnections for support in developing common software and documentation, and to support travel for regular subgroup meetings (two per year). Travel support will also be required so that subgroup members can actively participate in international activities related to data model development, especially science language.

Projects
The subgroup will establish annual and longer term (3 year) plans to estimate funding requirements from member agencies and from national programs.

Coordination
The subgroup will meet via conference call regularly (6-10 times per year), and face-to-face as needed. The subgroup will submit its annual plan to the CGKN secretariat for approval, and will prepare a written report to the secretariat annually.

Technical teams
Technical teams are formed by the Subgroup to develop: detailed functional specifications of the data model; software tools and test-data meeting the specifications; terminology, and quality control mechanisms. The work of the technical teams will be defined specifically enough that the tasks can be accomplished within one year. This requirement is meant to allow the membership of technical teams to vary from year to year as needed by the teams and by the organizations that employ the team members. Technical team members are specialists in scientific or technological disciplines, and usually the work of the team falls within the member's professional responsibilities.

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