More Support to Help Clarify Preston Land Titles

Representatives from the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society, the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors, African Nova Scotian Affairs and the Department of Natural Resources, will support people in the Preston area to clarify titles to private properties.

Residents of East Preston, North Preston, and Cherry Brook who have applied to the Department of Natural Resources to make a claim can now get help from lawyers at no cost and receive free advice from a number of land surveyors. Thirty people already have applied for clear land title.

"We understand the concern within the community and want to address the resolution of their issues to get clear title to their land," said Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines. "Thanks to the work of the Barristers' Society and the Survey Association, I'm hopeful that Preston area residents will get clarity about their land."

A pilot project focused on the three communities will provide free advice. Through this project, government will learn if there are issues that can be addressed to make it easier in the future for other communities in the province seeking land title clarification.

The additional resources will help with issues such as an existence of a will, unclear boundaries and confusion about land ownership. With clarity of legal title, community members will be able to enjoy free hold on their land, potentially qualify for provincial programming, identify ownership for tax purposes, and reduce conflicts that can result from lack of clear land ownership.

"We learned of the need to clarify long-standing title issues with privately held properties and this team was formed to help. It's a lot of work and takes time, but a new process is in place for a pilot project assisted by lawyers volunteering their time," said Darrel Pink, executive director of the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society.

The Barristers' Society has heard from a number of lawyers who are offering free legal services to Preston land title claimants. The Nova Scotia Land Registry is supporting the project and working closely with the department to ensure filings are addressed in an efficient manner.

The department posted a summer employment position today, March 2, for a law student to perform outreach and work closely with the community.

The department is also working with the Association of Nova Scotia Land Surveyors to provide free services. The Nova Scotia Land Registry is supporting the project and working closely with the department to ensure filings are addressed in an efficient manner.

For more information on the project and the application process go to http://novascotia.ca/natr/titles-clarification/.