Natural Resources Canada is no longer in the service line of producing aeronautical charts and publications as of  December 31, 2006, end of the contract with NAV CANADA.

This was a business decision made by the Government of Canada and NAV CANADA, and negotiated in concert with Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada and the Department of National Defence. The statutory responsibility for the production of aeronautical charts and publications lies both with NAV CANADA and the Department of National Defence. Natural Resources Canada is working with NAV CANADA and the Department of National Defence in order to provide a seamless changeover.

The contractual arrangement between Natural Resources Canada and NAV CANADA was the only one of its kind in the world. Most governments have long since transferred the responsibility for aeronautical charts and publications to the private sector. So, in that sense, this is part of a larger global trend. Also, since NAV CANADA has the mandate to produce aeronautical charts and publications, they can have these done any way they wish as long as Transport Canada – the regulator – is satisfied there are no safety issues. It is only through an historical relationship that we have carried this on for so long. There has been little if any investment in our own capability to maintain an ongoing viable business line.