Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs
March 19, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs:

Provincial Government to Commence Lands Act Review Consultations

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today in this Honourable House to speak to the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs review of the current Lands Act and associated service delivery model.

The Lands Act guides the management and allocation of the province’s Crown lands. A comprehensive review of the Lands Act and its service delivery model is required to ensure it is still relevant and is the most effective way to manage, administer, utilize and protect our Crown lands for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Some of the specific areas we are looking to address through this review include: ways to make the act clear and concise so it is well understood by those who use it and can be interpreted and applied consistently; internal business processes and policies to determine their necessity and if changes are required to improve timelines; internal referral and consultation processes; as well as current technology used to support the operations of the act.

An independent review committee has been established of three individuals who are educated, experienced and knowledgeable in the areas of law, policy and business process review. An advisory committee is supporting the review committee by providing input and information sharing throughout the process. We are pleased to have the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador as a key partner in this review given the significant interaction their membership has with this legislation in their day-to-day work.

The consultation process is about to begin and the locations of the eight consultation sessions throughout the province can be found on the department’s website. The page also outlines the various ways interested parties can get involved and submit their feedback, including through online and written submissions. The Terms of Reference for the review can also be found on the department’s website.

I encourage all residents to either participate in the in-person sessions or provide a written or online submission.

When consultations are completed, a “What We Heard” document will be released on the Department of Municipal and Intergovernmental Affairs website.

The Provincial Government is committed to its focus on listening, collaborating and innovation. This review demonstrates this commitment and will lead to practical and informed recommendations to ensure the Lands Act aligns with best practices to better meet the needs of residents and stakeholders.

Thank you.

2015 03 19                             1:55 p.m.