Alberta Record

· Order in Council / Resource administration transfer · in-force

Alberta Transfers Subsurface Resource Administration to Canada for Specific Lands

Transfers the administration and control of mines, minerals, and pore space for specific land parcels in Alberta from the Crown in right of Alberta to the Crown in right of Canada.

High impactCentralization of powerInstitutional independenceThe public, directlyLegislature

What changed

  • Administration and control of all mines and minerals within, upon, or under specified land parcels are transferred.
  • Administration and control of all pore space contained in or formerly occupied by minerals or water below the surface of those parcels are transferred.
  • The affected land parcels include areas identified as Bison Lake, Haig Lake, Weasel Lake, Marten River, Lubicon Lake, and Little Buffalo settlements.

Why it matters

  • The order redefines jurisdictional authority over subsurface natural resources for the specified land parcels, shifting governance from the provincial to the federal government.
  • This change impacts future decisions regarding resource development, extraction, and environmental management within these specific areas.
  • It reallocates decision-making authority regarding these specific subsurface assets between the provincial and federal governments.

Other governance concerns

  • Jurisdictional clarity over natural resources
  • Impact on provincial revenue from resource development
  • Long-term management of subsurface assets

Primary sources (1)