National standards for the survey of Canada Lands
This document provides professional Canada Lands Surveyors with the technical standards that apply to surveys undertaken on Canada Lands and for lands required to be surveyed under provisions of the Canada Lands Surveys Act. It constitutes the instructions of the Surveyor General for surveys of Canada Lands as specified in Section 24(2) of the Canada Lands Surveys Act.
- National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) (PDF, 3.5 MB)
- Official release of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) - January 1, 2022 (PDF, 488.2 KB) (Coming into force of Version 1.2 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands)
- Addendum 1.21 – December 19th 2024 (PDF, 287.9 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 3.3 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)
- Addendum 1.22 – December 19th 2024 (PDF, 248.7 KB)
Object: Amendment to Section 5.1.4. of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2)
Specimen Plans - PDF [Click to view/hide]
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#29 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Onshore)Under Development
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#30 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Offshore Platform)Under Development
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Specimen Plans - DWG [Click to view/hide]
Note: In order to properly view the AutoCAD files, the following
fonts are required [Click to download]
Leroy.SHX
DotFont.SHX
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#0 Digital PlanPDF only
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#1A Plan of Survey of Jurisdictional Boundary, South of 60 (Digitally Signed)PDF only
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#29 Plan of Survey of Oil and Gas Well (Onshore)Under Development
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Guidelines [Click to view/hide]
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Information on the administrative requirements and procedures for surveys on Canada Lands is provided in Getting a Survey Done. This guide is for government departments and Indigenous nations or communities who administer Canada Lands, as well as Canada Lands surveyors and those requiring a survey. It clarifies the survey process and regulations for surveys on Canada Lands.
Additionally, the guide Surveying of First Nation Lands managed under a Land Code is intended to provide First Nations that have a Land Code in effect, with information, tools and links to additional resources when considering having land survey work conducted on their lands.
Regional chapters
These official statements on local survey requirements support the national standards. Each one went into effect on its approval date.
British Columbia [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2020-01 - March 3rd, 2020
- Object: Information and clarification when surveying Sechelt Lands
(PDF, 181.3 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2020-01 - March 3rd, 2020
New Brunswick [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)(PDF, 160.5 KB)- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
Newfoundland and Labrador [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)(PDF, 160.5 KB)- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
Nova Scotia [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)(PDF, 160.5 KB)- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
Ontario [Click to view/hide]
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Regional Chapter No. 2020-02 – July 9th, 2020
- Object: To provide additional information for Surveys Utilizing Aerial Imagery Products
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Regional Chapter No. 2020-02 – July 9th, 2020
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Regional Chapter No. 2021-01 – March 24th, 2021
- Object: Surveys of Flooding Easements
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Regional Chapter No. 2021-01 – March 24th, 2021
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Prince Edward Island [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)(PDF, 160.5 KB)- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th
2016
Quebec [Click to view/hide]
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- Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th 2016
- Object: Boundary Maintenance
(PDF, 147.8 KB)(PDF, 160.5 KB)- Regional Chapter No. 2016-02 - April 5th
2016
- Object: Field Monitoring of Exterior Boundaries and Interior Frameworks
(PDF, 148.2 KB) - Regional Chapter No. 2016-01 - April 5th 2016
Interdepartmental and intergovernmental agreements
- Interdepartmental
Agreement related to the Cooperation in the Area of Surveys and
the Specifications for Descriptions of Lands for Transactions on
Reserve Lands, 2014 (PDF, 189.4 KB)
As of January 2015, this agreement superseded the Interdepartmental Agreement with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development re Land Transactions on Reserve Lands, 2009, published in Chapter B1-2 of the General Instructions for Surveys, e-Edition.
- Parks Canada Agency (PCA) Framework Accord Providing a General Framework for the Provision of Professional Advice, Consultation, Land Survey and Mapping Services, 2019 (PDF, 827.3 KB)
As of July 2019, this agreement replaced the Interdepartmental Agreement re Description of Canada Lands, 1955.
- Intergovernmental Agreement with British Columbia Respecting Legal Surveys of Highways over or through Indian Reserves, Sechelt Lands and Westbank Lands, 2015 (PDF, 88.7 KB)
As of June 19, 2015, this agreement superseded the Intergovernmental Agreement with British Columbia Respecting Legal Surveys of Highways through Indian Reserves and Sechelt Lands and Lands Being Transferred to Canada, 2003.
- Intergovernmental
Agreement with the Province of Alberta re Town of Banff
Incorporation Agreement, 1989
This agreement came into force retroactively on December 8, 1989 (P.C. 1989-2441).
Latest updates
This is a chronological listing of updates, amendments and announcements related to the Surveyor General's instructions.
| Title | Date |
|---|---|
| Addendum 1.21 - Amendment to Section 3.3 of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) | 2024-12-19 |
| Addendum 1.22 - Amendment to Section 5.1.4. of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) | 2024-12-19 |
| Official release of the National Standards for the Survey of Canada Lands (1.2) | 2022-01-01 |
| Update of Specimen Plans #18 and #19 and removal of Specimen Plan #17 | 2021-11-26 |
| New Specimen Plans #20A, #20B and #20C; and removal of Specimen Plan #20 | 2021-03-29 |
| New Regional Chapter (Ontario) - Regional Chapter 2021-01 | 2021-03-24 |
| New Specimen Plan: Plan of Survey of Easement (Flooding) | 2021-03-24 |
| Specimen Plans update - New AutoCAD and PDF files for Specimen Plan #32 | 2021-02-01 |
| New Specimen Plans #35 and #36 | 2021-02-01 |
| Specimen Plans update - New AutoCAD and PDF files for Specimen Plans #10, 11 and #11A | 2020-07-14 |
| Regional Chapters update - Regional Chapter No. 2020-02 | 2020-07-09 |
| Regional Chapters update - Regional Chapter No. 2020-01 | 2020-03-03 |
Historical publications
Historical general instructions of the Surveyor General.
How to propose changes to the national standards
Individual Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS) members, regional groups, client departments or agencies, and specific working groups of the ACLS may submit a proposal for changes to the national standards. An ACLS Standards of Practice Committee working group assesses each proposal and may wordsmith it or make recommendations before sending the final results to the Surveyor General Branch. Addenda that are approved by the Surveyor General are published on this website and eventually integrated into the standards.