In routine surveying in the south, Canning soon proved himself a first-class bushman and reliable surveyor. About the turn of the century, rabbits from the east were beginning to invade Western Australia and Canning was instructed to survey a route for a rabbit-proof fence. Construction of the fence, known as the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence, was completed in 1907. When completed it was the longest line of unbroken fence in the world.

Canning is best known for surveying the Canning Stock Route in 1906-07. David Carnegie, who had explored further east in 1897, had concluded that it was 'absolutely impracticable', but Canning proved otherwise.

With 8 men, 23 camels and 2 horses, he left in May 1906, aiming to find water sufficient for stock every 15 miles (24 km) along the route. He reached Halls Creek in January 1907 with the task successfully accomplished. On return to Perth, he had to face the publication of charges by Blake, the expedition cook, that Aboriginals had been ill treated. A royal commission exonerated him in January 1908, although he had admitted chaining Aboriginals at night.

Canning's optimistic report to the government was accepted, and he organised a second, larger expedition of 20 men, 62 camels, 2 horses, and 400 goats for milk and meat, to construct the necessary wells along the route. Calculating distances principally by his own unvarying pace, he would walk for hours, regardless of the weather. He finished this herculean task in March 1910, then went to England, where he addressed the Royal Geographical Society.

Canning resigned from the public service in 1923 and went into partnership with H. S. King as a contract surveyor.

He later retired and lived in Perth until his death on 22 May 1936.

(Source: Australian Dictionary of Biography Online - www.adb.online.anu.edu.au)