Comprehensive Land Claims

The SGB has been significantly involved with the implementation of Comprehensive Land Claims in Northern Canada since the late 1970’s (Cree Naskapi/James Bay and Northern Quebec Land Claim) and will continue until completed.

Comprehensive claims deal with the unfinished business of treaty-making in Canada.  These claims arise in Canada where Aboriginal land rights have not been dealt with by past treaties or through other legal means.  In these areas, forward-looking modern treaties are negotiated between the Aboriginal group, Canada and the province or territory.

The SGB responsibility in the implementation of Comprehensive Claims, is to meet Canada’s obligation with respect to the definition of the extent of land as negotiated within the respective comprehensive claim. More than 99% of the surveying required for the comprehensive claims is carried out by private Geomatics companies. These survey programs are the largest legal surveys undertakings in Canada since the settling of the West.

The North covers 40% of Canada's land mass. With world-class mineral, oil and gas deposits, the North is a place of incredible economic opportunity for northerners and all Canadians. The surveys of the land provide greater certainty over rights to land and resources therefore contributing to a positive investment climate and greater potential for economic development and growth.

The lands that have been defined between 1975 to 2009 by the SGB for comprehensive claims in northern Canada:

** Provincial lands