Annual Survey of Surveying and Mapping Services

The surveying and mapping industry is composed primarily of two different activities, namely geophysical surveying, which provides services to the mineral, oil and gas industry, and land surveying. This industry generated $1.87 billion in operating revenues in 2003, up 1.8% over 2002.

Land surveying revenues rose as housing starts continued to rise in 2003, triggering increased demand for land surveying services in the form of cadastral surveys. Firms classified under surveying and mapping (except geophysical) services consequently increased their operating revenues to $888 million in 2003, up from $822 million in 2002.

Operating revenue from firms classified under geophysical surveying and mapping services dropped from $1.01 billion in 2002 to $977 million in 2003.

Alberta continues to lead all provinces in total surveying and mapping services, accounting for $1.2 billion or 63% of operating revenues earned in 2003 — unchanged from 2002.

Alberta-based firms accounted for 88% of all geophysical surveying services in Canada, demonstrating a direct link with the oil and gas industry, primarily based in Alberta. One must note that this includes not only work performed in Alberta proper, but also work conducted by Alberta-based companies in other provinces, offshore, and in other countries.

The industry's before-tax operating profit margin was 8.7% in 2003, relatively unchanged from 8.5% in 2002.

The top 20 firms generated 37.9% of operating revenue, only marginally less than 2002, when they accounted for 38.5%. These firms also accounted for 29.5% of salaries and 38.9% of all operating expenses. Their share of operating profits decreased from 31.5% in 2002 to 27.2% in 2003.

Available on CANSIM: table 360-0006.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4715.

For more information or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Michel Savard (613-951-3175; fax: 613-951-6696; michel.savard@statcan.gc.ca), Service Industries Division.