RE: [Paddlewise] Charts for Macintosh users - Free Charts in Canada?

Hi Paul

In 2008 when I returned from New Zealand, I wrote my MP (Gary Lunn)
lunng_at_parl.gc.ca about NZ providing freely downloadable marine charts.
Now the USA is on board with this.

It seems to me that if a free chart prevents a "free" rescue, then the net
cost of "boaties" to the Federal Government is reduced.

I expected Mr Lunn to be quite interested, since his constituency includes
the Gulf Islands National Park.  A place with current, reefs and many, many
boaties.
 
Here is my email to Mr Lunn:

==================================================
Good afternoon Minister Lunn and thank you for reading my email.
As my representative for Saanich and the Islands, I'm sure you understand
how important it is to have accurate charts available for safe boating and
other water sports.
It has come to my attention that other jurisdictions offer free internet
download of marine charts. 
For example, the New Zealand government provides access at this web site:  
http://www.linz.govt.nz/hydro/charts/digital-charts/chart-images/
Will you champion this low-cost initiative in Canada?
==================================================

And here is the reply from the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans:

==================================================
The Ho <<Initial request 2009-001-00411.TIF>> nourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport) Room 207, Confederation Building House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario  
K1A 0A6
Dear Colleague:
Thank you for your correspondence of January 30, 2009, on behalf of your
constituent, Mr. Gary Jacek, concerning the Canadian Hydrographic Service's
(CHS's) system for distributing marine charts. 
CHS is expected to generate revenues from the sale of charts and
publications in order to partially offset the cost of publishing,
maintaining and distributing its products.  This revenue target represents
less than 5 percent of the overall operating cost of CHS.
The majority of hydrographic offices around the world generate some level of
revenues from their nautical charts and publications.  Canada's prices for
paper charts are among the lowest in the world and are generally regarded as
among the highest in quality.  Our digital chart products are in the average
price range.  On March 31, 2007, CHS reduced the prices of its electronic
charts by more than 
50 percent. 
Thank your for taking the time to bring the concerns of your constituent to
my attention.  I trust the information I have provided will address Mr.
Jacek's questions.
Sincerely,
Signed Original Attached
Gail Shea, P.C., M.P.
c.c.: Mr. Gary Jacek ____________________________________________
Ministerial Correspondence Control Unit 
Uniti de contrtle de la correspondance ministirielle
Fisheries and Oceans Canada | Pjches et Ocians Canada 
200 Kent St. Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6 | 200, rue Kent Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
min_at_dfo-mpo.gc.ca Telephone | Tiliphone 613-992-3474 Facsimile | Tilicopieur
613-990-7292 Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
==================================================

Perhaps if more Canadian boaties wrote to the Minister of Fisheries and
Oceans, CC Mr Lunn and CC their own MP, we might get a more positive
response.

Gary 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net
[mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net] On Behalf Of Paul Hayward
Sent: January 17, 2011 2:46 AM
To: 'Robert Livingston'; 'Paddlewise Paddlewise'
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Charts for Macintosh users


Robert Livingston said:
"United States charts are now free... available for Windows...
GraphicConverter... For the Macintosh user"
<snip>
Best Regards
Paul Hayward, Auckland, New Zealand
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