Overview: Government Services and Lands

Although Government Services and Lands (GSL) is a relatively new department, it is significant in both size and scope. GSL has approximately 500 employees who provide a wide range of services in various regions throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The department's three branches and 12 divisions administer more than 85 acts.

GSL is a service-oriented arm of government. It implements government's legislative and policy directions with respect to public trust and protection; reduces red tape; and balances public protection and trust with economic development. The department also manages our Crown land resources.

GSL's Government Services Branch provides a one-stop service to the public and the business community. It processes permits, licences, and approvals and carries out inspections and investigations on behalf of various departments. The branch, through its Motor Registration Division, administers the Highway Traffic Act; provides motor registration services; and enforces regulations related to the motor carrier industry. The Vital Statistics Division registers vital events such as births, marriages and deaths.

development by assisting businesses and protecting consumers. The branch regulates the insurance industry, the trust and loan industry, the credit union industry, the real estate industry, the securities industry; collection agencies, mortgage brokers, automobile dealers, provincial lotteries, and private investigation agencies. The branch also maintains a registry of deeds, companies, cooperatives and bills of sale; administers the Residential Tenancies Act; provides assistance to tenants and landlords; regulates employee sponsored pension plans; and administers the federal government's firearms program.

The Lands Branch helps create a competitive economy by developing programs to ensure the wise use of 95 million acres of Crown land. The branch considers the economic and social benefits which can be realized from Crown lands through the productive use of our forest, mineral, wildlife, agricultural, recreational and water resources. It conducts surveys and produces mapping; develops land management plans; secures and guarantees land titles; enforces regulations; maintains a Crown land registry; processes applications; adopts and promotes geomatic standards and products; produces topographic mapping; maintains a registry of place names; and makes land available for cottage, residential and commercial development.

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