Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is actively collaborating with Indigenous Peoples, governments and organizations on modernizing the Canada Lands Surveys Act in further recognition and support of their inherent right to self-determination and to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and other federal Indigenous reconciliation principles.
About this Engagement
The Canada Lands Surveys Act provides a policy framework for regulating land surveying on Canada Lands. Canada Lands include lands in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut; more than 3,100 First Nations reserve lands; Canada’s national and historic parks; and Canada’s offshore area as defined in Section 24 of the Act.
The modernization of the Act only applies to lands that are defined as Canada Lands and would not impact nor affect Métis Settlement land or any First Nation land that is not currently reserve land (i.e. pending additions to reserve, traditional territories, lands held in fee simple, etc.) as these lands are not included under the definition of Canada Lands.Footnote 1
Figure 1: Map of Canada Lands
The current wording of the Act does not reflect or support the significant advances made by Indigenous Peoples in the aspects of land management and self-governance. The primary goals of modernizing the Act are to:
- recognize and support Indigenous self-governance (for example: aligning the Act to support the proposed First Nation Land Governance Registry);
- replace outdated colonial terminology and concepts within the Act.
Outline of the process:
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Phase 1: Determine Indigenous engagement methodology
(Complete)The primary focus of Phase 1 was to obtain external feedback from Indigenous Peoples, governments and organizations, and internal feedback from Indigenous Elders within the department, as to their preferred method of engagement for this modernization initiative. The activities conducted during Phase 1 included an online survey (concluded in March 2025), disseminating information on this initiative through emails, NRCan website, word of mouth through other government departments and Indigenous organizations, attending and presenting at various conferences, and promoting the awareness of the modernization activities through social media.
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Phases 2 & 3: Engagement
2025 - Early 2026The engagement with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and organizations will be guided in two concurrent phases:
- Engagement with First Nations whose land transactions will be registered in the proposed First Nation Land Governance Registry;Footnote 2 and
- Engagement with Indigenous Peoples, governments, and organizations for considerations to modernize and replace the colonial terminology, concepts, process and provisions of the Act.
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Phase 4: Reporting on Engagement
Spring 2026Reporting on the results of the engagement and feedback received from Phases 1-3.
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Phase 5: Drafting of Legislation
Fall 2026NRCan and the Department of Justice will begin to draft the instructions for the proposed amendments to the Act.
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Phase 6: Legislative Changes
Following Canada’s legislative process, changes will be made to the Act.
Results
Summary results of the engagement activities will be published on this website when available.
If you would like to obtain more information on this engagement initiative:
Contact us by email at: sgb-dag@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca