Proposed changes coming for N.L.'s Crown Lands Act, says minister

Change is coming to the legislation that's been frustrating Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for decades.

The provincial government said it's introducing amendments to the Lands Act this fall, making it easier to resolve disputes over Crown land.

"People have voiced their concerns that the house they live in, for example, their home, their castle, may not necessarily be viewed as theirs," Forestry Minister Gerry Byrne said Tuesday. "I'll present tools to change that, recognizing that housing security is at the top of our government's priorities."

Byrne said the changes are some of the boldest and most progressive the province's Crown lands administration system has experienced in decades.

The changes include selling Crown land below market value, changing squatters' rights and establishing an independent body that appeals land disputes more cost-effectively.

Affordable acquisition

Byrne said the province wants the acquisition of Crown land to be affordable and accessible. To do so, the province is using a sliding scale.

Seniors receiving the guaranteed income supplement don't have to pay anything except for the standard processing fees of an application. 

"No one will have to pay full market value for Crown land, for land owned by the Crown and land that they built their house on in good faith and in good measure thinking it would be theirs," Byrne said.

Updated squatters' rights

Some people have lived on Crown land their entire lives without knowing it for years.

The province is planning to alter squatters' rights, so gaining possession of Crown land is more straightforward.

If passed, one amendment will reduce the period of time that a person must show they've been living on Crown land from 20 years to 10 years.

Many land disputes end up in court — which can cost tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to challenge the government. 

Byrne says the provincial government aims to establish an independent body to hear appeals for much less money.

"Instead of paying $40,000 to $60,000 for a trial in quieting of titles, the application for appeal will be $500, and if the applicant is successful they will be refunded in full," he said.

While the changes won't solve everyone's land dispute, Byrne said the changes should help many people.

"There are practical, meaningful solutions for people who need the benefit of an answer to their home ownership, to their property ownership and to their ability to stay within the confines of the law while at the same time recognizing they have a family and historical right to property," he said.

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