Based in Burlington, Ontario and with six other branches in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Québec and Nova Scotia, its principal aims include advancing professional development of hydrography, marine cartography and associated activities throughout Canada and abroad. President of the CHA is Andrew Leyzack, a commissioned Canada Lands Surveyor and hydrographer with the Canadian Hydrographic Service's Central & Arctic Region, who says: ‘‘Joining the IFHS will enable us not only to contribute to advancement of global hydrographic practices but also to draw upon the considerable worldwide expertise, resources and authority of its other member organisations.”

Welcoming the CHA as its sixth member, IFHS President Paul Hornsby said: “This further strengthens the Federation’s commitment towards advancing the cause of hydrography at all levels of expertise at a time when demand for its capability and resources following the recent Indian Ocean tsunamis is at an all-time high.” The Federation’s headquarters are based in Plymouth and among its forthcoming activities will be official support of the fourth international Shallow Survey Conference in Plymouth this September organised jointly by the UK Hydrographic Office and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency.