On the talk-ca list, we have lots of great discussion going on. You can go through it if you like...

One idea that i'm floating is this:

Import all the Data which is available as NODES
each of these nodes would have the attributes of the broken down polygons, and lines, and different points.

This would essentially make it a 'connect-the-dots' game, for areas which already have OSM data.

This way, when updates of government data is available, just nodes get imported.

These nodes wont get rendered, as they contain tags that renders do not understand.

Once the Canadian Node import is done, then the different map features (Points / Lines / Areas) can be imported, starting with tiles that don't have any OSM data.
Then when we get to tiles that have just a bit of road data, we can import everything BUT the roads.. and leave it to the local area mappers to 'connect-the-dots'
then when in even more complete areas are ready to take the import, the mappers can be selective as to what they like to import, and the rest, and be made by connecting the dots.

Does anyone have any feedback on this idea?

Thanks,
Sam

P.S. im working on the CanVec chart which has 11 themes with 90 different entities. The rest of it should be available from the GeoBase download set.
osm.wiki/CanVec_OSM_Map_Features

edit: Just nodes (All GeoBase/CanVec) to get imported for the 10 most complete tiles
For the 10-100 partially mapped tiles, everything but the roads would get imported, and the roads would get imported as nodes only
For all the other tiles: everything gets imported.
For updates: only nodes gets imported.
Coastline (thats already in OSM) would not be imported, (that is only a section of the NHN) the rivers/marsh etc. would all get imported.