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
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.