November 26, 1996
(Government Services and Lands)

Excellent Response to Crown Lands Market Value Pricing Policy

Ernest McLean, Minister of Government Services and Lands, said today that there has been an excellent response to government's new Crown Lands Market Value Pricing Policy.

Mr. McLean said: "Of the 4,055 cottage leases subject to the October 31, 1996 deadline, 3,850 applications have been received. This represents a 95 per cent response rate. Of the 3,415 residential leases subjected to the October 31, 1996 deadline, 1,201 applications were received, representing a 35 per cent response rate. This was a tremendous response since many of these residential leaseholders did not, in fact, have to convert to grants since their leases did not contain a rent review clause. Similar circumstances are demonstrated in the case of commercial leaseholders. Of the 1,175 commercial leaseholders subjected to the October 31, 1996 deadline, 454 applications were received, approximately 39 per cent.

"Government believes that this policy is a good policy for leaseholders and for the owners of all Crown lands - the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. The figures demonstrate quite clearly that the majority of people involved feel that this is a good policy. People want to own their land outright and government has given them the opportunity to do just that, and in most cases, at a fraction of the real market value of their property.

"Government has no intention of taking back Crown land from cottage or residential leaseholders. In cases of real hardship, we are willing to be flexible and we will deal with people on an individual basis. We are willing to help people wherever possible and when ever that help is needed."

Contact: Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860.