Program/Service: Spatial Reference System Program
Description:
This program establishes and maintains a provincial network of
survey monuments whose geographical positions and/or elevations
have been determined, to support the spacial referencing of
land-related information. General categories of land-related
information include natural resources, environmental,
infrastructural, cadastral and socio-economic information. This
reference system is fundamental for ensuring the compatibility of
all geomatics, navigation and other spatial information from
various sources, allowing such information to be exchanged and
merged seamlessly and economically. It is an essential part of any
geographic or land information system.
Typically, spatial reference systems were established with two
distinct components -- one for horizontal coordinates: i.e.,
latitudes and longitudes, and the other for vertical coordinates:
i.e., elevations. For the most part, each component was
independently established with its own network of survey
monuments, due primarily to surveying technology of the day.
Today, surveying technology allows for effective and accurate
3-dimensional surveying.
Manitoba's spatial reference system is an integral part of the
Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS), which is a hierarchy of
federal and provincial spatial reference (control survey)
networks. Each layer consists of a network of points for which
positions have been determined using a combination of technologies
and procedures specific to that layer. Natural Resources Canada
establishes and maintains the top three national levels of this
hierarchy, and provincial survey agencies look after the bottom
two lower levels within their jurisdictions. The result is an
integrated federal-provincial coordinate system, which serves as a
common spatial reference surface for all mapping, charting,
navigation, boundary demarcation, crustal deformation and other
geo-referencing needs. There are approximately 10,000 geodetic or
control survey points established in Manitoba.
Survey Services Branch distributes all federal and provincial
information related to Manitoba with respect to the Canadian
Spatial Reference System.
