UCP hopes to eliminate 'squatters rights' in Alberta
Alberta's UCP government wants to get rid of the province's so-called "squatter's rights."
Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro announced the Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022, on Monday.
If passed, the bill would amend the Law of Property Act, the Land Titles Act and the Limitations Act, eliminating Alberta's adverse possession laws.
Currently, the laws allow a person who has occupied another person’s land for 10 years to claim ownership of that land. Claims can only be made against private landowners; public land, municipal land and irrigation districts are exempted.
"This is not the first time that a bill has been introduced in Alberta's legislature to abolish adverse possession," Shandro said Monday. "There have been previous attempts to make this change through private members bills, but none of them have been successful."
"I hope this time will be different, because Albertans have been saying that they want this change for over a decade."
Adverse possession laws have often been used in land disputes in rural areas, where property lines may be unclear.
"Possession" can mean anything from building a fence that cuts through someone else's property to actually living on someone's land.
Existing laws say anyone "occupying" someone else's land must be doing it visibly, excluding the actual land owner from using it, and the land owner must be aware of it.
"If passed, this act will bring peace of mind to Alberta's landowners, it will allow them to use and enjoy the land that they rightfully own without having to worry about whether someone can take it away," said Shandro.
"Updated legislation would send the clear message that there is nothing to be gained from squatting on someone's land."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.