Narrow Visions of the Digital Revolution in Mapping: Situating the Canada Geographic Information System from the Perspective of a Feminist Critique of Science and Technology. (E. Kowalska)

In the early 1960s, work began in Canada on what is now one of the most recognizable, “foundational” computer systems for creating a spatially localized database – containing a variety of social, environmental and economic data – and digital mapping. It was through these maps that economic development decisions were to be made more efficiently and better – the entire program was created with the initiative to introduce improved national resource management practices. The story of this somewhat , “legendary” program has a much broader dimension. This ” improved management” ultimately did not benefit rural development, but it did strengthen the flourishing urban planning, industry and modern concepts related to recreation and leisure. The CGIS allowed for the production of an easily digestible cartographic form that seemed to comprehensively and objectively show the territory being mapped, ultimately supporting the colonial schemes established by white European settlers prior to its development.