"Seven years imprisonment for removal"

A new boundary is created every time land is divided to form a lot, roadway or utility right-of- way. The new boundary must be precisely determined. When a boundary is determined today, an Alberta Land Surveyor typically inserts a one metre-long metal pin at the exact intersection of property lines. The location of these pins is marked on survey plans registered at Land Titles. These pins or markers are called survey evidence.

In historic times, other means were used instead of metal pins — wooden posts, piles of rocks, or mounds of dirt or Canada Lands Surveys brass caps (pictured here). Over time, many of these markings have disappeared. When these boundaries have to be re-established, extensive research must be undertaken including measurements from the nearest locatable survey marker.

Accurately placed boundary markers are essential. Landowners can be confident the boundaries of their property, roadways, pipelines or other public improvements are precisely marked.

It is illegal to remove or tamper with an official boundary marker. Tampering with boundary markers today can result in fines up to $10,000. However, there is a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment for the removal of one of these brass caps.