The province is introducing long-awaited legislation to improve the process of applying for, and gaining title to Crown lands.

The changes include better support for people trying to acquire legal ownership of Crown lands, commonly referred to as “squatter’s rights.”

The legislation also includes a new policy that allows the province to relinquish its right to Crown land by issuing a so-called “quitclaim” deed to title seekers who have occupied land for a long time.

The province is also set to launch a new modernized and mobile-friendly online site that it says will improve the Crown lands application process, while Minister Gerry Byrne says he’s committing to continued policy review to help improve overall Crown lands management and services.

There are also changes to the cost of acquiring Crown land.

“Seniors in receipt of the Guaranteed Income Supplement will not pay anything for the land under which their house sits, other than the standard processing fees,” said Byrne.

Meanwhile, people with “modest” family income, up to $25,000 total in the household, will pay 5 per cent of the market value of the land.

Others, he said, will fall into an income-based sliding scale determination.

“We’re going to provide relief to this,” said Byrne.