(December 2, 2022, St. John’s) – Pleaman Forsey, PC Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Forestry and Agriculture and MHA for Exploits, says the Liberal Government is spending more time studying not enough time acting to find solutions to the growing confusion surrounding Crown Lands in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A 2015 committee was tasked with examining the Crown Lands issue and returned with 134 recommendations to government – yet issues persist with the Crown Lands process in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“The Minister is launching yet another review of the Crown Lands issue after he ignored the 2015 review since coming into office. Instead of taking the matter seriously upon taking office, yet again the Minister and the Liberal government are caught playing catch up,” said Forsey.

“It’s unfortunate that due to such a slow response, seniors are finding out they don’t own their own property after decades. There are people in every corner of our province – especially in rural areas – who
are faced with costly legal battles. As people decide to downsize or move elsewhere overtime, more and more families will be faced with a tremendously difficult, expensive situation.”

Forsey is questioning why the Liberal Government waited until now to begin their study of this important issue.

“The 2015 report contains recommendation after recommendation to streamline the process, increase access for the general public, and help ease the process to resolve Crown Land disputes. Instead, the Government is launching another review to study the very same matter,” said Forsey.

“The Liberal Government has let this issue linger for too long and it’s seniors and rural Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who are disproportionately feeling the effects. It’s time for action to resolve this matter, not another study.”

Contacts:

David Maher

Director of Strategic Communications

(cell) 709-725-0984

DavidMaher@gov.nl.ca