Bill C-5, the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, has sparked debate and some confusion in Canada’s surveying community — particularly around whether it affects the long-standing requirement for federal licensure. To clarify what the bill really means, we spoke with Chris de Haan, President of the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors.

The conversation began with Bill C-5 and widened to the bigger picture. Canada is in the midst of a historic infrastructure and defence build-out, where every project begins with a surveyor. Demand for Canada Lands Surveyors is rising fast — even as education programs close and the pipeline of new professionals narrows. Chris discussed how ACLS is navigating these pressures, why federal licensure remains essential, and how surveyors must adapt to a future defined by reconciliation, sovereignty, and rapid technological change.

For context, what does Bill C-5 propose in terms of labour mobility, especially for federally regulated professions like land surveying?

Bill C-5, the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, is designed to strengthen professional mobility across jurisdictions by requiring regulators to recognize comparable credentials from other provinces and territories. This Act is strictly federal – where the federal government unilaterally recognizes comparable provincial and territorial requirements. The goal is to reduce duplication, speed up licensing, and ensure that qualified professionals can move more freely to meet labour market needs.

How will this affect the current requirement for Canada Lands Surveyors to hold a federal licence? Will ACLS still issue separate credentials?

ACLS will continue to issue a Commission, Membership and Licence under the Canada Lands Surveyors Act. This credential is distinct from provincial licences and remains legally required to practise cadastral surveying on Canada Lands. Bill C-5 does not eliminate federal licensure, but it does require ACLS to review its processes to ensure they are not unnecessarily burdensome.

That being said, from what we understand, the Act will not apply to areas where the Government of Canada decides there is an unacceptable risk to the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being and the environment. There will be exceptions to the Act in these cases. Those exceptions will be made through regulations. ACLS maintains that the jurisdictional exam — or equivalent alternatives — is essential to confirm competencies specific to Canada Lands and to protect the economic well-being of Canadians. The regulations are currently under development and ACLS has participated in the consultations related to development of Regulations to support the Act.

There’s been some confusion, even claims that Bill C-5 eliminates federal licensure altogether. What’s ACLS’s understanding?

Our understanding is that the Act does not abolish the requirement for an ACLS Commission, nor does it erase the federal licensing requirement or ACLS’s public protection mandate. What changes is the framework labour mobility candidates: ACLS will recognize provincial credentials as a valid foundation, but it may still require additional jurisdiction-specific validation. What this looks like, we won’t know until the Regulations are released.

From a regulatory standpoint, what benefits and challenges do you see in implementing Bill C-5?

The benefits include faster mobility, reduced duplication, and a larger pool of qualified surveyors available for work on Canada Lands. Challenges include ensuring jurisdiction-specific competencies (federal law, Indigenous rights, offshore regimes) are not diluted. Further, managing public expectations, since the bill’s language could be misinterpreted as eliminating regulatory oversight on Canada Lands, as well as balancing flexibility with public protection.

Do you anticipate confusion or friction as federal and provincial regulators align under this new framework?

I can’t give a straight yes or no response to this question. While surveyors share technical skills, the legal frameworks are not interchangeable. Without careful coordination, there is risk of inconsistency or public confusion about which credentials apply where.

It’s important to note that Canada has 11 distinct surveying jurisdictions. The Canada Lands Surveyors Act establishes the Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS) as a self-governing body responsible for regulating surveyors working on lands that fall under federal jurisdiction, as outlined in Section 91 of the Constitution Act. These lands, known as Canada Lands (defined in section 24 of the Canada Lands Surveys Act), include the northern territories, Indigenous lands, national parks, and Canadian offshore areas.

In addition to ACLS, there are 10 provincial regulators, each mandated under Section 92 of the Constitution Act to oversee surveying within their respective provinces. Collectively, these regulators provide complete coverage of the Canadian landmass with no overlap between federal and provincial mandates.

Since the implementation of the Canada-wide Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on Labour Mobility over a decade ago, surveyor regulators across Canada have proactively enabled the smooth transfer of professionals with minimal barriers while safeguarding the public interest.

Is ACLS working with NRCan and other stakeholders on the regulations that will guide implementation? 

Yes. ACLS is working very closely with NRCan and has also provided a formal submission to the Privy Council Office and participated in the consultations on the draft regulations. The discussions are progressing well.

Beyond legislation, how would you describe the current state of the surveying profession — workforce size, skills demand, and new entrants?

I cannot comment on behalf of the other surveyor regulators, but I can tell you that Canada Lands Surveyors are in demand. Demand for Canada Lands Surveyors is high, driven by infrastructure investment, northern development, and reconciliation priorities. At the same time, the pipeline is narrowing; geomatics programs in the universities and colleges have seen closures or declining enrolments, creating concern about sustaining the workforce. ACLS is working collaboratively with the other regulators to identify strategies and opportunities to improve access into the profession.

With Canada making huge commitments to critical infrastructure, what role do surveyors play in delivering that agenda? And is there enough workforce capacity to meet the demand?

Surveyors are foundational to infrastructure delivery: every project begins with defining boundaries, securing tenure, and mapping physical space. This includes defence-related infrastructure, where sovereignty and secure land administration are paramount. At present, the profession risks a capacity shortfall. Without focus on training and recruitment, Canada may not have enough surveyors to meet both the infrastructure and defence commitments.

How are program closures and declining enrolments in geomatics and surveying education affecting the profession’s pipeline?

Closures and low enrolment reduce the number of graduates entering the profession, leading to a shrinking pool of quality candidates. We all know that this will compound succession issues as senior professionals retire. ACLS and other regulators are monitoring the situation and working closely with universities and colleges to explore ways to increase the supply of surveyors available for both provincial and federal work.

RELATED READ:

• Canada’s Surveying Workforce Crisis: SAIT’s Carina Butterworth on Fixing the Pipeline
• “We’re Cutting the Pipeline”: Dr. Tim Webster on Canada’s Geospatial Education Crisis
• ‘We’re Losing Talent We Can’t Afford to Lose’: NAIT’s Patrick Whitehead on Geospatial Program Closures

What role can ACLS play in closing training gaps and attracting new entrants, especially on the federal side?

By highlighting the unique national role of Canada Lands Surveyors — in safeguarding sovereignty, advancing reconciliation, and defining offshore boundaries — ACLS is committed to raising the profile of the profession and inspiring new entrants. Canada Lands Surveyors also demonstrate strong support for the ACLS Foundation, which proudly awards four scholarships each year. In 2025, applications to the Foundation’s scholarship program grew significantly, with an outstanding pool of candidates. The caliber of these applicants reflects an exciting future for land surveying in Canada and reinforces confidence in the next generation of professionals.

Do you think the public understands the role of Canada Lands Surveyors and why federal licensure matters for sovereignty, defence, and infrastructure?

Public awareness of land surveying remains limited; most people don’t think about what a surveyor does until they need one. Yet surveying on Canada Lands is foundational to protecting our national interests: from defining offshore boundaries that underpin sovereignty, to supporting defence installations, to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous governments. The Canada Land Surveyor (CLS) represents more than just a credential; it signals a higher standard of accountability for work on Canada Lands, in areas where accuracy, trust, and responsibility are paramount. ACLS believes there is a pressing need for broader public education to highlight the vital contributions of Canada Lands Surveyors, ensuring their role in safeguarding Canada’s future is better understood and respected.

How is the profession adapting to new technologies like drones, LiDAR, GNSS, real-time data collection, and AI mapping? How is ACLS supporting that shift?

Surveyors are rapidly adopting advanced technologies, including drone-based imaging, LiDAR, and GNSS-integrated workflows. These tools enhance efficiency and accuracy, but they require additional training. ACLS supports the shift through continuing professional development, national cadastral surveying standards that accommodate new methods, and access to training through a renewed GeoEd platform, scheduled for release in 2026.

As AI and automation expand, how do you see the role of the human surveyor evolving?

Automation will streamline data capture and processing, but human judgment remains irreplaceable in interpreting legal frameworks and Indigenous governance systems; weighing evidence in boundary disputes; and applying ethical judgment in complex cultural contexts. The skills that will matter most for Canada Lands Surveyors in the next decade are legal literacy, Indigenous relations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the ability to integrate technology responsibly with professional judgment.

RELATED READ: From Field Books to Digital Twins: Bryn Fosburgh on Surveying’s Next Chapter

Finally, what message would you like to share with surveyors — current and future — about ACLS’s direction in 2025 and beyond?

ACLS Council is optimistic about the future and committed to encouraging increased labour mobility while protecting the public interest. Our message is clear: Canada Lands Surveyors play a critical national role, and ACLS is putting in place the building blocks to ensure the profession remains strong, respected, and future-ready. We welcome and encourage surveyors across Canada to apply through the Labour Mobility pathway.