Reference System Modernization: Canadian plans and timelines

The United States’ National Geodetic Survey (NGS) plans to modernize their National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) in 2025, including adopting a new dynamic geometric reference (the North American Terrestrial Reference Frame of 2022 (NATRF2022)) and a new geoid-based height system (the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 (NAPGD2022)). To ensure continued geospatial referencing compatibility, the Canadian Geodetic Survey (CGS) plans to modernize the Canadian Spatial Reference System (CSRS) in parallel with the US, adopting NATRF2022 and releasing a new version of the Canadian Geodetic Vertical Datum of 2013 (CGVD2013) which is already a geoid-based height system. Both of these new systems are being developed and defined through a binational collaboration between CGS and NGS.

Modernizations of this magnitude occur roughly every 50-100 years. In Canada, these updates are coordinated with the provinces through the Canadian Geodetic Reference System Committee (CGRSC). CGRSC members are now working towards the adoption of NATRF2022 and CGVD2013 in the provinces by 2030. If successful, this will mark the first time that federal and provincial governments will have formally adopted unified reference systems across all jurisdictions since before the use of GPS became widespread.

In this presentation and discussion, we will review motivation and plans for federal modernization in 2025 and considerations for provincial adoption for 2030. The presentation will highlight opportunities and challenges for the geospatial community in particular.