The Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) provides fundamental references values for latitude, longitude, height and gravity, including earth's orientation parameters and rotation rate in space, as the foundation for the nation's evolving positioning and navigation activities. The resulting reference frames, propagated through provincial and municipal reference networks and other government services, serve as standards that ensure the compatibility of Canadian georeferenced information on earth and in space regardless of their source or date. Furthermore, knowledge of variations in the Earth's geometry and gravity field, determined from monitoring the changes in the reference frames, contributes to a better understanding of Earth processes such as global changes and geo-hazards.

Downstream applications range from cadastral surveys to monitoring sea level rise; from navigation and mapping to the use of remote sensing for resource management; from mineral exploration to assessment of potential flooding areas; from the construction and precise positioning of dams and pipelines to the interpretation of seismic disturbances.

Collective realization of the Global Reference Frame

• Very Long Baseline Interferometry
• Contribution of GPS data and Global Reference Frame Computation & Analysis
• Coordination of global collaboration and development of International standards

Realizing and providing the National Reference Frame

• Geometric Reference Frame
  • Active Control Point (ACP)
  • Canadian Base Network (CBN)
  • Traditional Networks
• Height Reference Frame
  • Classical height reference network
  • GPS-H
• Gravity Reference Frame
  • Canadian Absolute Gravity Sites
  • Canadian Gravity Standardization Network (CGSN)

Service Improvements

• Height Reference Frame Modernization