LTSA has always strived to act with trust, integrity, and in the public interest. While LTSA’s current planning and operations have reflected the principles of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), the organization has initiated an ESG framework to more clearly align activities and reporting. Here are a few highlights from our initial ESG report – read the full report here.
Products and Services in the Public Interest
As the trusted and definitive source of land and property information in BC, the LTSA works in the public interest to offer products and services that increase transparency, security and accessibility of land title and survey systems and land-related information. These systems and the information they contain are an essential underpinning to BC’s private property market, the civil justice system and also support civic governance, taxation and Crown land management frameworks. In collaboration with the Province, LTSA safeguards the legislative framework for BC’s land title and survey systems and contemplates disaster recovery requirements, such as providing advice on surveys and boundary matters related to climate emergencies or natural disasters. There are a range of products and services offered or administered by LTSA which operate in the public interest and provide British Columbians with access and transparency to land-related information including the Land Owner Transparency Registry, Condo and Strata Assignment Integrity Registry, and consolidated real estate data through Autoprop, the latter of which is used extensively by real estate professionals to fulfill due diligence.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Outreach
Outreach is core to LTSA’s accountability framework. Regulatory governance, operational performance, and business changes at the LTSA all benefit from established consultation and advisory forums with a wide variety of organizations. LTSA recognizes the impacts its current operations and future opportunities can have on a broad spectrum of stakeholders and customers and seeks to ensure stakeholder considerations are integrated into its business planning through consultation and collaboration.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
At LTSA, we recognize that diversity makes us stronger. That’s why we’re focused on building a workplace rich in diverse views, skills and backgrounds. Recently, employees across our four offices underwent Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) training. This training was in support of the LTSA DEI vision statement: We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace where all employees can share their diverse views, skills and backgrounds. Valuing employee diversity strengthens workplace trust and enhances our ability to innovate in service of our customers and partners. We continue to implement and update our pay equity plan to eliminate any gender-based discrimination in our compensation practices. In addition, we recognize many national and international cultural events through our regular employee newsletters, intranet content and in-office activities.
We are committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive workplace where all employees can share their diverse views, skills and backgrounds. Valuing employee diversity strengthens workplace trust and enhances our ability to innovate in service of our customers and partners.
Indigenous Reconciliation
LTSA completed the development of an Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan (IRAP) to guide LTSA in aligning with the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and responding to the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) within the context of LTSA’s mandate. The aim of the plan is to establish a meaningful framework for how LTSA can conduct its business in the spirit of UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action.
Investing in Innovation
LTSA introduced electronic filing of records in 2004 and introduced webbased land title forms in 2019. In addition to electronic land title submissions, LTSA’s electronic survey plan submissions and online search functions also reduce paper and emissions associated with mail and transportation. LTSA continuously works with stakeholders to reduce paper filing and storage, mailing costs and emissions, and travel to and from LTSA offices for filing and processing of transactions. In 2022/23, 97.8% of transactions received by LTSA were filed electronically.
Public Reporting and Accountability
The LTSA is subject to a variety of public reporting and accountability provisions which include, among other things, reporting on any changes to the Operating Agreement, LTSA Bylaws and Regulated Fees in the Annual Report. The LTSA Act and a 60-year Operating Agreement with the Province define the operational mandate and responsibilities of LTSA. LTSA establishes and supports a regular meeting schedule with the Minister of Forests and provincial government employees to support ongoing collaboration between the Province and LTSA as required in the Operating Agreement.