Geodetic Survey Division (GSD) provides a horizontal 2-D framework of interconnected control surveys with monuments spaced 20 to a maximum of 100 km apart over the entire Canadian landmass. A vertical (elevation) framework with bench marks established about every 2 km along major highways and railways is also provided. Access to the coordinates and elevations is provided through the Information Services Unit (ISU) or directly via the Canadian Spatial Reference System Online Database (CSRS Online Database). The Canadian Spatial Reference System Database contains coordinates and descriptions for more than 100,000 survey markers.

These networks are comprised of physically marked survey stations across Canada for which horizontal coordinates and or vertical elevations are accurately determined. These networks have been established over the past 90 years to provide consistent and accurate basic frameworks within which project-specific surveys may be carried out.

Coordinates issued by the Division for horizontal networks are based on the North American Datum 1983 (NAD83) adopted in May, 1990 by the then Department of Energy Mines and Resources (EMR) now Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), replacing NAD27 as the basis for NRCan products and services. GSD has developed the National Transformation V2.0 to enable the transformation of coordinate data to the NAD83 Datum from the NAD27 system.

Elevations issued by the Geodetic Survey Division are those based on the 1928 adjustment of  the national leveling networks -  Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum 1928 (CGVD28).

In addition to the primary networks, GSD has established, and is maintaining a network of secondary surveys in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut to meet the needs of national and territorial mapping control surveys, and boundary demarcation. The network provides a basis for other project-specific surveys.