Proposed Legislative Changes to the Public Lands Act
Submit Your Comments Through the ERO (Link Included Below)
The Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) is proposing legislative changes to the Public Lands Act. These proposed changes are intended to support the government’s commitment to reduce regulatory burden on business, and modernize government to be simpler, faster, and more cost-effective, without compromising public health, safety and the environment.
The proposed amendments to the Public Lands Act would:
- Provide the Minister explicit authority to set, charge, waive, change, or refund fees related to the management, use or disposition of public lands to provide for a more efficient approvals process.
- Provide the Minister explicit authority to make public lands-related decisions that currently rest with the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) to reduce the time needed for approvals.
- Prevent the loss of public lands without the Crown’s consent and for less than fair market value due to adverse possession by third parties, including providing the Minister with any necessary related authorities.
- Allow dispositions or transfers of lands bordering water bodies where less than 25 per cent of frontage would remain public land to support Indigenous community interests, land claim settlements, and local community and economic development. These proposed amendments are not intended to significantly increase dispositions along water bodies and the ministry will still be required to undertake any applicable environmental assessment process and fulfill the duty to consult obligations, should they arise, prior to making any individual land disposition decision.
You can review the proposal and provide comments using the following ERO link:
Amendments to the Public Lands Act to Support Red Tape Reduction
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