Modernizing Alberta's Surveys Act

Official title: Surveys Act engagement

Closed Legislation Natural Resources
Alberta updated its Surveys Act to reflect how land surveying actually works today. The old rules were written before GPS and digital mapping existed. Working with professional surveyors, the province cut outdated red tape and aligned the law with modern practices.

Why This Matters

Buying property? Getting a lot surveyed for a new build? Land surveys affect property boundaries, construction permits, and real estate transactions. Outdated rules meant delays and extra costs. These changes should make the process smoother.

What Could Change

The Surveys Act was amended in November 2022. Modern surveying technologies like GPS are now officially recognized. Red tape around outdated processes has been removed. Roles and expectations for surveyors have been clarified.

Key Issues

  • How should the Act recognize modern surveying technologies like GPS?
  • What outdated processes and red tape should be removed?
  • How should roles and expectations for surveyors be updated?

How to Participate

  1. This consultation is now closed. Stakeholders and municipalities provided feedback from 2019 through May 2021. Review the updated Surveys Act to see the resulting changes.

What Happened

Stakeholders and municipalities provided feedback from 2019 through May 2021. The Alberta Land Surveyors' Association worked with Forestry and Parks to identify changes reflecting current practices, methods, and role expectations. This feedback informed amendments to the Surveys Act, with an updated version released in November 2022.

View Final Decision

Key Documents