"NRCan's roots [Natural Resources Canada] actually pre-date the Confederation of Canada—the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), which would one day become NRCan, was founded in 1842, a full 25 years before the Confederation. Under the aegis of GSC, Canada began to realize its mission to manage the land's vast natural resources, developing the backbone for the various sectors that still exist today ..." (Quoted from article)