Government will invest about $2.7 million over two years to help residents in five communities get clear title to land on which they live.

The support includes funds to assist with legal fees and costs related to estate administration and migration, and new full-time positions dedicated to the land title clarification areas of North Preston, East Preston, and Cherry Brook in Halifax Regional Municipality and Lincolnville and Sunnyville in Guysborough County.

“Our government is taking action with new ways to address disparities and systemic discrimination that African Nova Scotians have faced,” said Tony Ince, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs. “We’re turning a corner with new supports that will help remove the barriers to the legal title to the land on which many African Nova Scotians live.”

The new initiative includes:
— funding to assist with legal and other fees and costs associated with clarifying ownership of land
— hiring two community liaison officers to help residents in the land title clarification areas to navigate the process to obtain clear title
— hiring a surveyor and two survey technicians to complete surveys and/or compiled plans in support of Land Titles Clarification Act applications
— administrative support from Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission for issuing certificates to applicants
— support for clarifying ownership of land through the Land Titles Clarifications Act, estate administration through the Probate Act and Intestate Succession Act, and migration under the Land Registration Act
— government will also consider amending legislation to reduce barriers.

“With clarity of ownership, residents will be in a better position to enjoy and use their land and resolve problems that can result from lack of clear land ownership,” said Agriculture and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Keith Colwell, on behalf of Natural Resources Minister Margaret Miller. “This plan is a response to recommendations from the communities, and we believe this new approach offers good options and resources to help people get clear title.”

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

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Source: Media Release