Boundaries

The Surveyor General Branch (SGB) is mandated through various acts and regulations to survey and contribute to the management of jurisdictional boundaries to ensure Canada has the boundary certainty required to exert its sovereignty and meet its legal obligations.

Aboriginal Lands - Surveys of Aboriginal Lands are made under the authority of the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or comprehensive land claim agreements and according to the survey instructions of the Surveyor General.

National Park Boundaries - Surveys of National Parks are done under the authority of the Minister responsible for Parks Canada and according to the survey instructions of the Surveyor General.

International Boundary Commission - The International Boundary Commission is a bi-lateral Canada/US commission having the treaty mandate to maintain the Canada/US boundary.  The Surveyor General is the Canadian Boundary Commissioner.

Inter-provincial/territorial Boundaries - When boundary issues arise between provinces or territories, a tri-lateral boundary commission including the Surveyor General may be formed to develop a resolution.

Federal Electoral District Boundaries - The Surveyor General provides technical advice and recommendations to federal electoral district boundary commissions when the electoral boundaries are reviewed and readjusted following each decennial (10 year) census