Browsing by Author "Sakatch, Matthew Michael Philip"

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    An Investigation of Coordinates as Mathematical Evidence for Cadastral Surveying in Alberta
    (2021-04-27) Sakatch, Matthew Michael Philip; Rangelova, Elena; Detchev, Ivan; Lichti, Derek; O'Keefe, Kyle; Jacobson, Dan
    This research delves into the topic of coordinates as legal survey evidence for boundary positions. It is spurred by the recently adopted Hybrid Cadastre project in Alberta, Canada and the evidentiary changes concurrent with this initiative. A review of literature pertaining to how survey evidence in assessed historically under the Hierarchy of Evidence, as well as the implications of modern evidentiary initiatives with coordinates is provided. Hypotheses are formed from this literature review and enlighten the qualitative study design. Key informant interviews apprise of the profession’s perspectives on this form of evidence are assessed using qualitative methods. Informants included practicing land surveyors, academics, members of the public, and government officials. A descriptive narrative approach was applied to the informant’s feedback to generate emergent themes. Informant feedback was assessed against the themes by incorporating an ordinal scale to provide a parameterized data set. Inferences made from this dataset prime the synthesis and theory development. In synthesis, an emergent theory on coordinates as evidence is provided as well as a continuum for assessing coordinate based evidentiary initiatives. When properly framed within the legislative framework and in specific de facto applications coordinates can govern legal survey boundaries and be considered a sui generis form of boundary evidence. An emergent continuum is proposed to provide a metric for assessing future applications of coordinates as evidence in alternate jurisdictions. This continuum is founded in the principles of cadastral management, and ensuring the public's continued faith in the land framework. Conclusions are provided relating to the adoption of coordinates as evidence currently within the land framework and case law. Ultimately future adoption of coordinates as evidence is a topic that requires legislative intervention to provide for widespread adoption and acceptance.