Crown Land Sale/Appraisals Of Public Land To Municipalities
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association requests the Government of Alberta to re-define its policy on pricing of Provincial Crown Land to include municipalities in the appraisal process.
WHEREAS the Government of Alberta recognized in 2006 that Government of Alberta owned Crown Land sold to municipalities for public purpose or resale shall be sold at current market value (subject to a sell-back agreement registered on title);
WHEREAS as independent appraisals shall be conducted in conformity with the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP);
WHEREAS the appraiser is contracted by the Government of Alberta without consultation from the municipality or consideration given to the conditions of land; and
WHEREAS the taxpayers of Alberta’s municipalities and the Province of Alberta are the same, the level of trust and negotiation of price is nonexistent.
Jun, 2011 - Municipal Affairs
“A cross-ministry committee is being led by the Oil Sands Secretariat to develop a land classification and disposition process to ensure the timely release of Crown land required for urban expansion. This process may be a template for further Crown land release around municipalities and settlements outside the Oil Sands Region, such as Fox Creek.”
AUMA sent a follow up letter asking for an update on this issue and implications related to the Land Assembly Act.
In May 2012, the Minister of Municipal Affairs indicated that he had sent our request to Treasury Board and Finance.
In June 2012, the Minister of Finance responded that the government continues to work towards establishing Urban Development Sub-Region so that Wood Buffalo can effectively manage its growth and development pressures. The creation of a sub-region was a commitment in the August 2011 MOU between the province and the municipality. This sub-region will be a provincially designated area of crown land surrounding the Fort McMurray urban service area that will enable the municipality to keep pace with the demand for various types of land. The Minister also notes that since the project deals with Crown-owned land and is intended to transfer ownership to the municipality, it does not relate directly to the Land Assembly Act.
Minister responded on October 5, 2012 that while the Government of Alberta favors a collaborative process with municipalities, the degree of inclusion in the appraisal of Crown land will be determined on a case by case basis.
AUMA considers this response.