POLARIS
Basic Index Mapping
Pre- Basic Index Mapping

Three different mapping specifications — POLARIS (Province of Ontario Land Registration Information System) mapping, Basic Index Mapping (BIM) and Pre-Basic Index Mapping (Pre-BIM) — are used to create and maintain the Ontario Parcel database.

The three specifications involve the use of different sets of source material and different build and maintenance processes. The major differences in the resulting product are data content and spatial accuracy.

There is also a geographic distinction between the three specifications. The POLARIS or BIM specification applies to all areas where ownership mapping is available at the time the Ontario Parcel agreement was signed. The Pre-BIM specification applies to all other areas.

POLARIS Mapping - Specifications Overview

The POLARIS specification maps are built in accordance with good survey practice. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Abiding by the laws governing surveying in Ontario;

• Abiding by the rules governing survey evidence;

• Making use of the available survey information, both registered and unregistered;

• Making use of the available control information.

Ground Relationship

With its emphasis on survey grade information and coordinate geometry, the POLARIS-based mapping process is capable of attaining high levels of accuracy. The degree of accuracy is, however, directly linked to the amount of reliable survey and control information in the area. Accuracy can therefore vary from area to area, often changing significantly over short distances. Greater accuracy can be expected in areas with reliable, controlled surveys, typical of larger and newer urban centres. Lesser accuracy can be expected in rural areas where surveys are few and in older urban areas where most surveys may be very old.

Data Availability

In areas where POLARIS mapping specifications are used to build the Ontario Parcel database, the following data sets are available:

Supporting Data

In areas where POLARIS mapping specifications are used to build the Ontario Parcel database. Features related to survey plans (including reference & subdivision), roads, major easements, township fabric, railways and major water bodies are captured.

For a full listing of POLARIS mapping supporting data, please download the attached PDF file :

Basic Index Mapping - Specifications Overview

The Basic Index Mapping specifications produce a geographically referenced index map which can be used to illustrate title and survey information or serve as an index map to land registry office records. While it does not match the high geographic accuracy of the POLARIS map product, the BIM product does provide decent relational accuracy, meaning the relationship between neighbouring properties is good.

Ground Relationship

Topographic data such as that contained in the MNR's NRVIS (Natural Resources and Values Information System) database provide the control framework for BIM specification mapping. This 1:10,000 (or smaller) scale topographic mapping, is used to provide the BIM product with a spatial reference to the real world. Features such as roads, fences and water bodies are used to assist in identifying ownership boundaries.

Data Availability

In areas where BIM mapping specifications are used to build the Ontario Parcel data set, the following data sets are available:

Supporting Data

In areas where BIM mapping specifications are used to build the Ontario Parcel mapping, the supporting data is less extensive than that available in areas mapped to the POLARIS standard. Under the BIM standard, supporting data does not include control and survey information. Features that are available in BIM areas relate to survey plan text, roads, major easements, and geographic township fabric, railways and major water bodies.

For a full listing of BIM mapping supporting data, please download the attached PDF file :

Pre-Basic Index Mapping - Specifications Overview

Pre-BIM mapping was created where no Teranet ownership mapping existed at the time the Ontario Parcel agreement was signed. Assessment and Crown parcels are created using MNR’s NRVIS topographic and geographic township base maps as a source of spatial information. The paper assessment maps of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will be also be used as the source for capturing assessment parcel boundary limits. The ClaiMaps II database of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) and MNR paper maps are used as the source for Crown parcel boundary data.

Ground Relationship

Topographic data extracted from the NRVIS database will form the control framework for the Pre-BIM specification. In areas where NRVIS data is not available, the federal government's National Topographic Series mapping will be used unless other more accurate sources of topographic data can be obtained.

Data Availability

In areas where Pre-BIM mapping specifications were used to build the Ontario Parcel map, the following data sets are available:

Supporting Data

In areas where Pre-BIM mapping specifications are used to build and maintain the Ontario Parcel map, the available supporting data will be much less extensive than that available in areas where POLARIS and BIM standards have been used. Features available in Pre-BIM areas relate primarily to road text, geographic township fabric and major water bodies.

For a full listing of Pre-BIM mapping supporting data, please download the attached PDF file :

( : Acrobat Reader required. Download a free copy.)

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