Surveying and mapping services

Canada's surveying and mapping industry consists of businesses whose primary activity is to gather, interpret and map geophysical data, as well as those providing land surveying and mapping services. Alberta-based firms continue to lead all provinces in this industry due to the significant role played by the Alberta oil and gas sector.

The surveying and mapping industry generated $1.95 billion in operating revenues in 2004, up 4.7% over 2003. Operating expenses outpaced revenue growth in 2004, dropping the industry's before-tax operating profit margin to 5.7% in 2004 from 8.7% in 2003. Salaries, wages, and benefits were up 10.8% in 2004, and accounted for the majority of the expense increase.

Operating revenue for firms classified under geophysical surveying and mapping services rose to $1.07 billion in 2004, up 9.5% compared with a year earlier. Non-geophysical (land surveying) revenue was steady in 2004, generating $885 million.

Alberta-based firms accounted for $1.2 billion or 61% of operating revenues earned in 2004, and 84% of all geophysical mapping revenues in Canada. These figures include not only work performed in Alberta proper, but also work conducted by Alberta-based companies in other provinces, offshore, and in other countries.

This data release is only for the surveying and mapping industry (firms classified under geophysical surveying and mapping services and non-geophysical/land surveying and mapping services). Data from a 2004 activity survey on geomatics will be released separately, and will provide more detailed information on geomatics activities in Canada and include firms from other industries that have a secondary geomatics activity.

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 Matthew Briggs (613-951-4761; fax: 613-951-6696; matthew.briggs@statcan.gc.ca), Service Industries Division.