Expropriation is a process by which a government authority
(known as the "expropriating authority") acquires real
estate without the owner and leaseholder's consent for the
purpose of furthering a public interest. With increased federal
spending on infrastructure and LRT expansions underway in both
Edmonton and Calgary, cities in Alberta are engaging in significant
expropriation activities.
Each landowner and leaseholder that receives a Notice of
Intention to Expropriate from the expropriating authority (such as
a city) has rights under the Expropriation Act. They may
object to the expropriation itself on the grounds that the
expropriation is not fair, not sound, excessive or not reasonably
necessary in the achievement of the public good. An inquiry officer
is appointed to conduct a public hearing to determine if the
objection is valid or if the expropriation should proceed. If the
expropriation continues following an inquiry, then the
expropriating authority will
