After considering the possibility of outsourcing of select land title, corporate and personal properties registry services through a long-term agreement with the private sector, Service Alberta plans to maintain the status quo
In early 2021, the Government of Alberta issued a request for expressions of interest (RFEOI) from parties interested in entering into a 35-year agreement to “modernize, operate and maintain the Province’s Land Titles, Corporate and Personal Property Registries”.
RMA, members, and other organizations expressed concern about the Government of Alberta’s consideration of privatizing land titles and related registry services. The service provides the Government of Alberta with a stable and significant source of revenue, which would be compromised through privatization. Privatization of similar services in other jurisdictions resulted in higher fees for service users, and privatization of the service may have impacted the ability of municipalities to access certain land title and related information needed for planning and other municipal purposes.
On October 14, 2021, Service Alberta informed RMA that after evaluating responses to the RFEOI process, the proposed 35-year agreement with the private sector has been deemed to not be the best approach at this time. Instead, Service Alberta will explore other efforts to modernize registry services to support the delivery of a more efficient and cost-effective digital government. RMA is pleased by the decision to maintain the status quo and will expect any future changes to land titles and other registry services to be based on meaningful engagement with service users and providers, including municipalities.
Warren Noga
Policy Advisor
780.955.4079
warren@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com