Survey Programs

The Surveyor General is mandated through legislation and Aboriginal land claim agreements to manage property and boundary survey programs for the Government of Canada. As a centre of expertise for legal boundaries and property systems, the Surveyor General Branch is well positioned to efficiently manage the implementation of large cadastral survey programs on behalf of other government departments and Canada.  The Surveyor General collaborates with various government departments in delivering their land management responsibilities, provides advice, produces cadastral maps, manages surveys and prepares legal descriptions for use in land transfer documents

Aboriginal Comprehensive Land Claims – The Surveyor General has been significantly involved with the implementation of Comprehensive Land Claims Agreements in Northern Canada since the late 1970's (The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement). Each agreement provides an implementation plan that mandates the Surveyor General to survey the boundaries of settlement lands.

First Nation Lands – The Surveyor General collaborates with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and First Nations in the management of surveys of First Nation Lands that operate under the Indian Act and the First Nations Land Management Act.

National Parks – The Surveyor General collaborates with the Parks Canada Agency in the management of boundary surveys of Canada's National Parks including National Marine Conservation Areas.