The Canadian Hydrographic Association (CHA) was founded in 1966, and Incorporated as a Non-profit Organization in 1988. It is a scientific and technical group of about 500 members with the objectives of:

	advancing the development of hydrography, cartography and associated activities in Canada;
	furthering the knowledge and professional development of its members;
	enhancing and demonstrating the public needs for hydrography.

Membership is open to anyone interested in hydrography in Canada, and the CHA has eight Branches across the country as well as members in many other countries. The CHA is formally affiliated with the Canadian Institute of Geomatics, and is informally associated with the Hydrographic Society in the UK.

(From the CHA Web Site)