Canadian Lawyer

14 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m elly Taylor-Faye was ready to make a change in his life when he came across an interesting proposition. The community of Craik, Sask. was offering land for $1 to those willing to move to its new 22-lot eco village, build a home and/or business, and make an environmen- tally friendly life there. Having lost his wife to cancer and pledg- ing a more healthy life for his son and his new wife Audrey, Taylor-Faye decided the move from Saskatoon was worth it. "When we stumbled across Craik, it was just an ideal fit for us," he says. Initially, the couple wanted to start a retreat, given the community was about an hour's drive from Moose Jaw, Regina, and Saskatoon. Instead, Kelly and Audrey decided to build upon Audrey's handmade soap business, Riverstone Studios. Dating back to the days of settlement, land giveaways have been used by the Crown to attract permanent residents to what had been largely unpopulated areas. The more recent approach aims to battle against the trend of Canadians living in large cities to ensure smaller communities remain sustainable. In addition to Craik's initiative a decade ago, other communities that have taken a similar approach to attract residents include Delia, Alta., Holden, Alta., Saint-Louis-de- Blandford, Que., and Reston, Man. The Sicilian community of Gangi in Italy also hopes to bolster its population, but instead of a vacant lot, it offers homes that have been abandoned or are vacant. Many of the Canadian municipalities have been so successful in attracting interest that in some communities the offer was available for just a few days before all the lots had been spoken for. As a lawyer with McNeill Harasymchuk McConnell, Jeff McConnell has represent- ed purchasers moving to the nearby Rural Municipality of Pipestone, Man., where the village of Reston offered prospective new residents and business owners land for $10. "The majority of communities offer this because they want to see the person who buys it develop a building" either residential or business, says McConnell. "They can't pick it up for $1 and turn around and sell it for $500. . . . For the most part, the buildings get done." The conditions could include no trans- fer of land until the building is complete with construction starting within a year. Both parties would agree the land would go back to the municipality if nothing is built. Some municipalities also ask for a deposit, which is returned when the conditions are fulfilled and the building is inspected. As mayor of nearby Virden, Man., a community of about 3,000 people, McCon- nell understands the perspective of small municipalities in times when the market for residential construction is not very active. If the cost of living is an attractive feature, the R E A L E S TAT E MATT DALEY The allure of 'free' land There are towns practically giving away land to attract new residents and business, but keep your eye on the legal details. By Marg. Bruineman K

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