Bill C-15: Key Changes To The Federal Expropriation Act For High-Speed Rail Projects

The federal government's Bill C-15 (the "Bill") proposes substantial amendments to the Expropriation Act (the "Act") to facilitate the development of a high-speed rail network connecting Ontario and Quebec. The proposed changes seek to expedite federal land acquisition and significantly narrow the procedural rights typically available to landowners. Below is a concise overview of what clients should know.

Elimination of the Requirement to Attempt a Purchase

Under the current Act, the Crown must generally attempt to purchase land before expropriating it. Bill C-15 creates an exception for lands required for the high-speed rail network. If the Minister concludes that an interest in land is needed, the Crown is deemed to require this land for a public work, and the Minister must proceed directly to expropriation without attempting a negotiated purchase. The purpose of this new process is to shorten the early stages of the acquisition process.