WHEREAS there is a need for a number of local governments to obtain crown lands to facilitate future commercial planning and sustainable development in British Columbia; AND WHEREAS the provincial process and excessive time required for the release andor sale of crown lands by local government is seriously impeding this process: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province be requested to undertake a provincial mandate to enable the transfer, sale or purchase of crown lands to be expedited in a timely and efficient manner, thereby allowing British Columbias local governments to proceed with sustainable community planning and development, creating much needed work in the current economic situation.
Ministry of Agriculture Lands The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands delivers guidance across government for Crown land administration by maintaining the land use and allocation policy framework. This strong, cohesive policy function allows us to move quickly to act on opportunities and focus on results. The Ministry continues to adapt its policy tools, programs and services to the changing economic, environmental and social needs, and to introduce innovative tools to respond to opportunities and challenges facing the provincial economy and communities across the province. Meeting application processing timelines on land and resource applications is critical to the Province. The average processing time during fiscal 200809 for all tenure applications and Crown Grants was 127 days, excluding delays for referrals and surveys. There can be challenges from time to time in achieving timelines with complex application referrals associated with First Nations consultations. The Province has issued approximately 3,000 Crown Grants and transferred over 66,000 ha of Crown land since 20002001. This includes 1,694 ha under the free Crown Grant program. During fiscal 200910 the Province, through the Integrated Land Management Bureau, is targeting 1,000 ha of Crown land to be granted for community development purposes in consultation with First Nations. This will assist local governments by making Crown land available for community development projects such as affordable housing, schools, fire halls and recreational facilities.