Annual Survey of Surveying and Mapping Services

The surveying and mapping industry generated $1.7 billion in operating revenues in 2001, up 8.0% from 2000. Rising commodity prices for oil and natural gas led to increased exploration for new reserves. This directly benefited the geophysical surveying and mapping sector, whose services are essential to any exploration efforts.

Alberta led all provinces in surveying and mapping services, accounting for 68% of operating revenues earned in 2001 - up from its 63% share in 2000. As well, Alberta operating revenues jumped by $162 million, whereas the other provinces experienced little or negative growth in 2001.

Most of the growth was in the area of geophysical surveying activities, which represented 55.3% of the industry's total operating revenues in 2001, followed by land surveying activities at 39.0%.

Geophysical surveying activities are highly concentrated in Alberta-based firms, which generated 94% of total sales of geophysical surveying services in 2001. This not only included work performed in Alberta proper, but also work conducted by Alberta-based companies in other provinces and territories, offshore, and in other countries.

The industry's before-tax operating profit margin was 9.8% in 2001, a significant increase from 2000, when it was 7.2%.

The largest 20 firms generated 49% of total operating revenue for the surveying and mapping services industry in 2001, a significant increase in share since 2000, when they accounted for just under 40%. These firms also accounted for 31% of salaries and 55% of all operating profits, both up from 2000.

Data for 2001 are now available for the surveying and mapping services industry, which includes geophysical as well as land surveying and mapping services.

Available on CANSIM: table 360-0006.

Information on methods and data quality available in the Integrated Meta Data Base: 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.