Leaseholders at Cassidy Point, 17 kilometres east of Yellowknife, will be allowed to acquire fee simple title on their existing lot.
Fee simple title means full ownership of the land, as opposed to the current arrangement whereby Cassidy Point residents lease the land without actually owning it.
The territorial government had been contemplating this move for some time. It affects 41 leaseholders on the southern shore of Prosperous Lake.
In a statement on Thursday, lands minister Robert C McLeod said the territory was “fulfilling a long-standing commitment to the Cassidy Point leaseholders” by offering the opportunity for them to own the land.
McLeod said his department would be in direct contact with leaseholders to provide more information and details about how to purchase their land, if they decide to go ahead.
This decision regarding Cassidy Point is part of the government’s broader review of land use around the Ingraham Trail. A moratorium on new recreational leases along Highways 3 and 4 remains in place.
The GNWT expects to release a new framework for managing land in the area next spring.
Meanwhile, the Ingraham Trail cabin lot ballot draw takes place on Monday, July 27.
The draw will be held at Yellowknife’s Northern United Place from 7pm. Twenty-two vacant lots are available. You don’t have to be there in person if you’re a ballot holder – the Department of Lands will be in touch if your ballot is drawn.
