Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador, Denise Hanrahan, today delivered a performance audit report to the House of Assembly on the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s ability to effectively manage the administration of Crown lands. Today’s report contains findings and recommendations regarding systematic issues, insufficient policies and procedures, as well as confusion about complaints management, enforcement, and inspection processes.

“I have serious concerns with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s ability to effectively manage Crown lands’ administration. Systemic issues identified throughout my audit may have encouraged the misuse of, or allowed for, the extended illegal occupation of Crown lands – which may have contributed to public safety risks, negative environmental impacts, strains on the province’s court system, and affected the well-being of land owners,” commented Denise Hanrahan, Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Crown lands are administered by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture for the social and economic benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The department’s Crown Lands Division receives approximately 3600 applications per year, and provides a range of uses including recreation, economic development, conservation, agricultural use, and other services.

“Crown Lands are intended to be used for the benefit of the people of the province – anything that causes a deviation from that purpose creates the risk of land misuse or misappropriation,” continued Auditor General Hanrahan. “The foundation of Crown lands administration has been built on an inadequate lands registration system. Policies and procedures are significantly outdated, informal, or non-existent, and the Crown Lands Division has an incomplete inventory of lands records. When guidance policies and procedures are either outdated or functionally ineffective, and oversight and monitoring controls are weak, it becomes impossible to establish a foundation for best practice and the risk of mismanagement increases.”

The full report as well as an audit overview can be found by visiting. www.ag.gov.nl.ca.

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Chrysta Collins
Office of the Auditor General
709-730-1568
chrystacollins@oag.nl.ca