What is a CLS
A licensed Canada Lands Surveyor (CLS) is a professional authorized under the Canada Lands Surveyors Act to carry out legal surveys on “Canada Lands.” This term includes Canada’s offshore areas, the three northern territories, Indigenous reserve lands, and national parks. CLSs are entrusted with defining boundaries that form the foundation for property rights, resource management, infrastructure, and community development in these unique jurisdictions.
CLS professionals are regulated by the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS), a national, self-regulating body that ensures members meet high standards of competence, ethics, and professional practice. To become licensed, candidates must meet rigorous academic and professional requirements, pass national examinations, and commit to ongoing professional development.
Like other regulated professionals, CLS are accountable to the public and guided by the Code of Ethics set out in the Canada Lands Surveyors Regulations. This regulatory framework protects the integrity of Canada’s land administration systems, consistent with the principles of Section 92 of the Constitution Act, which recognizes the importance of orderly land management and governance.
In practice, CLSs are more than technical experts. They combine advanced knowledge of measurement and geospatial science with a deep understanding of legal frameworks, environmental considerations, and Indigenous relations. Their work supports Canada’s land stewardship today and safeguards it for generations to come.
The Profession
The Canada Lands Surveyors profession is truly a multidisciplinary profession which includes the following disciplines:
- Surveying & mapping
- Remote sensing
- Photogrammetry (aerial photos)
- Hydrography
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
In fact, the ACLS implemented an internationally recognized hydrographer certification program in 2016.
Benefits of an ACLS Membership
- Business Opportunities: only CLSs are authorized to practice on Canada Lands and the territories.
- Opportunity to work in the North and in the offshore which is seeing more and more economic activity.
- Interest in First Nations: membership helps you to participate in stakeholder engagements concerning land titles and survey frameworks on First Nation reserves.
- Interest in Federal Government/Canada Lands: membership enables employment opportunities with the federal government, in areas of surveys on Canada Lands.
- If you are already a Provincial Surveyor, only one professional exam to write.
- Professional Network/Diversity: ACLS members are all over the country and many are leaders for large surveying firms. The National Surveyors Conference is an ideal venue to network and open your horizons.
- Challenging Work: Canada Lands Surveying is a bit different from surveying on provincial lands and often presents logistical and technical challenges.
- Job Needs/Career Advancement: having a surveyor commission or more are assets in an individual’s career.
- Prestige/Recognition/Competence: The CLS commission is very well respect internationally.
- Work Outdoors/Adventure: you can combine your professional work with your interest in working outdoors and engaging diverse communities.
- Membership dues: are the lowest in Canada.
- Free student membership, the communication from the association is a good reminder to keep studying.