The Association of Canada Lands Surveyors (ACLS) is the national licensing body for professionals surveying in the three Canadian territories, in the Federal parks, on Aboriginal reserves, as well as on and under the surface of Canada's oceans.[1] It is a self-governing, non-profit, non-governmental organization that manages the activities of its members across Canada in the field of cadastral (boundary or legal) surveying.[2]
Of the Canadian surveying associations, the ACLS has the largest jurisdiction in terms of geographic size; it covers about 10,900,000 square kilometres, which is nearly seven times the surface area of the Province of Quebec.[3]
The ACLS is the eleventh licensing surveying association in Canada. Cadastral surveying in the provinces is governed by provincial legislation and each Canadian province has a surveying association which is responsible for regulating its members. However, as provincial legislation does not cover "Canada Lands" ACLS is an important part of governing Canada's boundaries.[4]