Land Registration Systems

From the time when representatives of the English monarchy claimed ownership of land, all private land ownership was acquired from either the provincial or federal representatives of the monarchy. After the initial settlement by Europeans, most parts of Canada were owned by Provincial governments, except for those areas which were owned or acquired by the Federal Government as a result of railway grants, the reservation of National Harbours and the creation of Indian reserve lands where title vested in the Federal Government. If a person wished to acquire ownership in land, he purchased the land from the Province and there would be a "Crown Grant", transferring title from the Provincial Crown to the individual. The private owner, having acquired title, was able to pass title on by conveyance to other individuals.