For LTSA, 2025 represents a significant milestone for the organization: 20 years of operation. In that time, LTSA has evolved into a multifaceted organization working to create value in the public interest through innovation, integrity and trust.
LTSA commenced operations on January 20, 2005, assuming operation of land title and survey systems from the British Columbia government and marking a shift to an independent, publicly accountable corporation.
From the beginning, a key pillar was collaboration with LTSA stakeholders. The first decade saw the rollout of an ambitious business transformation initiative that essentially moved LTSA from paper to electronic transactions. Between 2005 and 2014, an electronic filing system was established. Prior to this date, customers accessed LTSA’s electronic services through BC Online.
Over the past twenty years, land title application registration times have reduced from an average of 37 days to four days. Land title electronic filings stand at 97% compared to 13% in 2003. Survey plans filed electronically track at 100% whereas in 2007 it was 0%. With the implementation and adoption of an electronic system, LTSA’s auto-examination technology for many transactions helps minimize processing times and ensure consistent examination decisions. Thanks to customer support and encouragement, comingled with system enhancements, the single digit defect rate continues to drop, now sitting at around 3.5%, and all electronic filing exemptions have been retired.
In its second decade of operation, LTSA demonstrated an ongoing commitment and capacity to deliver land-related solutions. A number of initiatives, built in concert with multiple stakeholder partners, were launched:
- ParcelMap BC (2016) – a mapped representation of titled and Crown parcels currently used as the authoritative cadastral parcel fabric by the Province, and more than 145 local governments and public entities
- Condo and Strata Assignment Integrity Register (2019) – a database of assignments of purchase agreements of all residential condo and strata lots, developed with the Province
- Land Owner Transparency Registry (2020) – a registry of beneficial ownership created to eliminate hidden ownership, prevent money laundering and track compliance with the Land Owner Transparency Act
- Online Filing Options for Property Owners and the Public (2022-24)– an online system built to improve the ability of property owners and the public to complete common land title applications
- SurveyHub (2024) – a pre-submission workspace for land surveyors to prepare and assemble survey plans electronically in one streamlined place
LTSA continues to evolve in delivering its public service mandate and its vision of a real property market that is trusted and transparent. LTSA keeps pace with a rapidly changing digital world by reinforcing its core systems and developing new solutions, products and services.
LTSA is working with the Lands Advisory Board to build the First Nations Land Governance Registry. This first of its kind registry empowers First Nations operating under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management to govern their land and resources.
As the digital environment continues to progress so does LTSA. The next step in the digitization journey is to modernize identity verification for homeowners and other parties involved in the real estate transaction, using digital tools. With enhanced verification, the connectivity of the real estate transaction will be improved, and the entire system will be stronger. Rolled out in stages, the ‘Verified Transaction’ represents the evolution of a secure and transparent land title system that continues to support a thriving economy today.
We look forward to commemorating our 20th anniversary this year and to many more years of collaboration with and support from our customers.