Note: This page has been updated to provide more clarity regarding the process for selling of Crown land (October 2013)

Unlike other provinces and territories in Canada, where the government owns from 50% to more than 90% of the landmass, only 35% of the Nova Scotia landmass is owned and administered by the province. The Department of Natural Resources looks after Crown land (about 29% of the land in Nova Scotia). Because of the limited amount of Crown land in Nova Scotia, and existing commitments on Crown land (e.g. forestry licenses, parks, trails, leases etc.), as a general practice the department does not offer Crown land for sale. Requests by individuals to buy Crown land may be authorized by the Minister or Cabinet under the Crown Lands Act and under other Acts such as the Beaches and Foreshores Act. The Sale of Crown Land Policy provides direction to the department regarding circumstances in which Crown land may be sold.

The policy states that Crown land may be sold in the following circumstances:

• by direct sale, at market value
  • to a municipality, agency, non-profit group or community organization when a public benefit can be demonstrated;
  • to support or promote economic activity when all other reasonable alternatives have been canvassed by the applicant; or
• by direct sale, at market value or at a negotiated price which may be more or less than market value, to alleviate undue hardship or in extenuating circumstances, and where it is demonstrated as being in the best interests of the Province.

If you believe that you fit into the policy requirements and are interested in buying Crown land, you must complete an application form. As with other activities on Crown land, applications to buy Crown land are reviewed by the department to evaluate possible impacts on departmental programs and values (an integrated resource management review).

Sales must also be approved by the Minister or Cabinet. If the Minister or Cabinet approves the sale of Crown land, the sale price will be the market value of the land, which is normally determined through an appraisal completed by an AACI certified appraiser. In addition to the purchase price, the purchaser is required to pay the following:

• an administration fee (see table of fees),
• the legal costs for migrating the land to the land registration system,
• the cost of preparing the appraisal,
• any costs associated with aboriginal consultation, and
• the cost of hiring a Nova Scotia land surveyor to survey the land, if required.

The time required to complete a Crown land purchase varies depending on the nature and complexity of the request including the time it takes to complete aboriginal consultation, the appraisal and survey; and whether or not the parcel is registered in the land registration system before the sale.