Timelines for Municipal Acquisition of land, from the Ministry of Agriculture
Res #: 3-18A
Number: 3
Year: 2018
Midterm: No
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
WHEREAS the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Branch consults with the municipality when selling crown land within its jurisdiction, to allow the municipality an opportunity to complete gravel exploration prior to the sale, and the municipality is expected to consider and complete the exploration, and respond to the ministry in a timely manner;
WHEREAS municipalities may purchase Crown land, when there is a need for municipal purpose and the process is often delayed pending appraisals and other consultations;
WHEREAS municipalities often require that the sale of Crown land be approved in a timely manner as there may be grants available to a municipality that could be jeopardized if the sale were not approved.
BE IT RESOLVED that an appraisal company, listed on the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Branch approved list of appraisers, be allowed to be hired by a municipality without prior meetings or consultations with the ministry, thereby avoiding unnecessary delays;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Branch implement a policy to complete the review and sale of crown land, to a municipality, within a six-month period.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
September 26, 2022
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands Branch strives to complete sales transactions in a timely manner but must ensure that all due diligence is complete. Completion of the review and sale of Crown land within a six-month period cannot be assured. This is particularly true of direct sales to non-lessees such as municipalities as these transactions often require legal surveys, parcel subdivisions and Order in Council approval. We are continually trying to improve our response times to better serve our clients and will review where there may be additional efficiencies.
While we appreciate the efforts of municipalities to complete gravel exploration in a timely manner, we do not set a timeline for completion of this work. The requirement for an appraiser to meet with our staff prior to doing an appraisal on Crown land is intended to decrease delays in the sale process. This meeting ensures that the appraisal meets the Ministry of Agriculture standards, and the appraiser considers all pertinent information including appraisal of any unique physical attributes of the parcel.
We appreciate the cooperation of all RMs to expedite the review and sale of Crown land in a timely manner.
The Honourable David Marit – Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
