• About
  • Offices
  • Careers
  • Students
  • Alumni
Background Image
Logo Bennett Jones
  • People
  • Expertise
  • Resources
  • Search
  • Menu
  • Search Mobile
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z All

FEATURED AREAS

Energy
Funds & Finance
Mining
Capital Projects
All Industries
Crisis & Risk Management
Environmental, Social & Governance
Governmental Affairs & Public Policy
All Practices
Insights
Media
Events
Subscribe
COVID-19 Resource Centre
Business Law Talks Podcast
Kickstart
New Energy Economy Series
People
Featured Areas
All Practices
All Industries
About
Offices
Careers
Insights
Events
Search
Search
 
Blog

Bill 48 Proposes to Create Single Land and Property Rights Tribunal in Alberta

November 24, 2020

Written by Daron Naffin, Deirdre Sheehan, Tim Myers and Mikayla Hill

A key goal of Alberta's Recovery Plan is to create jobs and drive Alberta's economy forward. In this regard, the Government of Alberta has implemented several measures in an effort to reduce the red tape associated with regulatory tribunals and the processes they administer.

As part of these red tape reduction initiatives, Bill 48: Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2020 (No.2), was introduced in the Alberta Legislature on November 12, 2020. Among other things, Bill 48 proposes to overhaul and amalgamate the following four regulatory tribunals with a view to reducing regulatory costs and making it easier for people to access the services these tribunals provide:

  • Surface Rights Board;
  • Land Compensation Board;
  • Municipal Government Board; and
  • New Home Buyer Protection Board. 

Brief Overview

The Alberta government began red tape reduction initiatives by enacting the Red Tape Reduction Implementation Act, 2019 (Bill 25), which came into force on December 5, 2019. Bill 25 amended eleven pieces of legislation to streamline overburdened regulatory processes and to eliminate outdated regulations and rules.

The Annual report Red Tape Reduction 2019- 2020 released on November 16, 2020, indicates that between May 1, 2019, and June 30, 3030, Bill 25 and other initiatives of the Alberta government and its agencies resulted in savings of over $476 million.

The Legislature is now seeking to build upon the initiatives introduced under Bill 25 through Bill 48 by seeking to streamline regulations and speed up approval and decision timelines by way of amendments to twelve statutes.

Key Features of the Proposed Bill

The boards currently operate as independent, quasi-judicial boards, although the chairs of each were combined into a single position in 2016 and they currently share directors as well as office space.

Through the enactment of the Land and Property Rights Tribunal Act, Bill 48 proposes to combine the boards, all of which deal with disputes related to land and property rights, into a single agency called the Land and Property Rights Tribunal. The objective is to eliminate operational inefficiencies, share labour resources, and speed up turnaround times.

The Bennett Jones' Regulatory Group has extensive experience representing clients before tribunals in Alberta, including before the Surface Rights Board, the Land Compensation Board, and the Municipal Government Board. Please contact a member of the Regulatory group if you have questions about Bill 48 and how it may impact your business.

Authors

  • Daron K. Naffin Daron K. Naffin, Partner
  • Deirdre A. Sheehan Deirdre A. Sheehan, Partner
  • Tim  Myers Tim Myers, Partner
  • Mikayla  Hill Mikayla Hill, Articling Student

Read the New Energy Economy Series

Related Links

  • Insights
  • Media
  • Subscribe

Recent Posts

Blog

Canada's Federal Budget 2021 and International Trade Implications

April 21, 2021
       

Blog

Ontario Court of Appeal Upholds $30-million Charter [...]

April 20, 2021
       

Blog

New Alberta Energy Regulator Reporting Requirements: [...]

April 19, 2021
       

Blog

Recent Amendments to the British Columbia Health, [...]

April 14, 2021
       

Blog

Important Changes to the Alberta Business Corporations Act Now in Effect

April 13, 2021
       

The firm that businesses trust with their most complex legal matters.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use

© Bennett Jones LLP 2021. All rights reserved. Bennett Jones refers collectively to the Canadian legal practice of Bennett Jones LLP and the international legal practices and consulting activities of various entities which are associated with Bennett Jones LLP

Logo Bennett Jones