View full report in PDF or HTML format.
The Land Title and Survey Authority of British Columbia (LTSA) states in its Annual Report for the year ended March 31, 2009 that it achieved or exceeded its 2008/2009 performance targets, demonstrating the ability to provide timely and accurate land title and survey registration services in BC. In its fourth full year of operations, the LTSA continued to make service quality improvements, focus on prudent fiscal management, and execute on those objectives required to ensure it meets the high expectations of customers.
For the first time in its history as an independent organization, the LTSA is facing a decline in real estate activity. In the 2008/2009 fiscal year, land title registrations declined by approximately 17 percent compared to the prior fiscal year which resulted in a decrease in LTSA revenue of approximately 13 percent. The LTSA processed 1.14 million land title registrations with an average turnaround time of 3.7 days for land title documents and 4.8 days for Land Act survey plans, well below the performance target of six business days for these types of services.
The LTSA confirmed a total of 3,880 Crown land survey plans with an average processing time of 6.7 days for Land Act survey confirmations. A total of 232 Crown grant documents were issued with an average turnaround time of 4 days. These performance times are significantly below the target of 21 days for both types of transactions.
The LTSA continues to make significant investments in its Electronic Filing System (EFS) accessed via BC OnLine. With the addition of Power of Attorney functionality in early 2009, all charge and discharge transactions as well as land survey plans can be submitted through the EFS - essentially completing the full set of electronic forms. Also during the fiscal year, EFS training was recognized by the Law Society of British Columbia towards two hours of approved Continuing Professional Development Program credits, with similar recognition granted by the Society of Notaries Public of BC in spring 2009.
In 2008/2009, the LTSA continued with the multi-year program to conserve its extensive collection of fragile, paper historic land title documents and survey records. The LTSA also announced plans to consolidate its Victoria-based premises by mid-2010 which will provide modern, climate controlled vault facilities ensuring the long-term preservation and enhanced security for both the Victoria Land Title Office and the Surveyor General Division's records.
The mandate of the LTSA is to ensure secure, world-class land title and survey systems. On that basis, the LTSA continues to update technology and improve its business processes to better serve customers which have also prepared for its business modernization initiative. Ultimately, this initiative will enhance service delivery so it is sustainable and provide customers with consistency and reliability of information, enabled by modern technology, integrated processes, and expert staff.
Business modernization activities completed in 2008/2009 include the high-level specifications of the new core land title register system and a number of process improvements. The LTSA also continued its review of title examination and customer communications consistency.
Detailed performance and financial information for the LTSA is available in its Annual Report which can be viewed at in PDF or HTML format or provided in paper copy from any LTSA Office.
Contact: Liza Aboud, Vice President Business Development and Communications, LTSA, 604-660-2070
