EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-8, numbers 333-43080, 333-76849 and 333-73666), pertaining to the 1995
Stock Plan for Employees and Directors of GSI Lumonics Inc., the General
Scanning Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan, the General Scanning Inc. 1995 Directors'
Warrant Plan and the GSI Lumonics Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, of our
report dated February 21, 2003 (except with respect to note 15, which is as at
March 28, 2003), with respect to the consolidated financial statements and
schedules of GSI Lumonics Inc. included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2002.

March 28, 2003                         /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Ottawa, Canada                         Chartered Accountants