This morning the Canadian government announced that it is providing free online access to digital mapping data.  Starting on April 1, 2007, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) began making its electronic topographic mapping data available to all users free of charge over the Internet. Notes Minister Gary Lunn, "Not only will Canadians now have free access to digital maps, but Canada will be known as an important source for digital mapping data around the world." (hat tip: Peter Suber ).