Accomplishments in modern hydrography and charting under Canada's Oceans Protection Plan

Hydrographic surveys and nautical charts are vital to mariners, Indigenous peoples and coastal communities, who depend on marine safety and a healthy aquatic environment to make a living and to navigate in Canadian waters.

Data collected through hydrographic surveys, such as depths, water levels and tides, are fundamental to the development of accurate and up-to-date nautical products, such as charts, which help to promote safe marine transportation.

Since early 2018, the Canadian Hydrographic Service has had major successes in accelerating the pace of hydrographic surveys and charting under Canada's Oceans Protection Plan. The plan is creating a world-leading marine safety system that provides economic opportunities for Canadians today, while protecting our coastlines and waterways for generations to come.

Under the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada is investing almost $110 million over five years to deliver modern hydrography and charting in key areas across the country, including 23 high-traffic ports and waterways, while rapidly filling gaps in hydrographic data – particularly in Arctic and nearshore areas – that once had limited or out-of-date navigational data.

The investment is allowing CHS to gather enhanced bathymetric data from critical areas across the country, deliver better hydrographic services and provide faster updates of navigational information.

To name just a few accomplishments and improved capabilities, the investment has enabled CHS to:

• use the latest technologies – from multibeam sonar to aircraft-borne LiDAR (light detection and radar) to earth observation satellites – to make the hydrographic surveys conducted today more complete and accurate than ever before;
• update nautical charts for 16 out of 23 high-priority commercial ports, strengthening navigational safety and reducing the risk of accidents;
• increase the portion of Arctic waters that have been surveyed to modern standards, including priority locations such as Ungava Bay and Chesterfield Inlet;
• conduct surveys of the nearshore regions of the Great Lakes using LiDAR sensors, nearing our goal of surveying the Canadian side of the Great Lakes by the end of 2019;
• more quickly and efficiently put improved navigational products, such as high-resolution navigational charts, real-time information on tides and currents, and updates into the hands of mariners; and
• leverage and evaluate advanced technologies, satellite-derived bathymetry and autonomous surface vessels to support hydrographic surveys and charts.

These innovations and accomplishments are helping to fulfil a primary goal of the Oceans Protection Plan – to make marine navigation safer and reduce the risk of maritime accidents in Canadian waters. This heightened scientific knowledge is allowing CHS to create high-resolution representations of the depth, shape and structure of Canada's oceans, lakes and rivers, helping us better protect aquatic environments.

Hydrographic surveying and nautical charting have been completed, are in progress or are planned for the following high-priority ports: