COVID-19 remains a public health threat. Mandatory measures are in effect provincewide.
Changes due to COVID-19
The Surface Rights Board is following all public health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, while preserving the rights of parties to fair hearings and timely decisions.
Rather than conducting in-person public hearings, the Board will work with parties to determine whether there are unique issues in a particular hearing that could be addressed through postponement or proceeding on the basis of written submissions, telephone or video conferencing.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are following the recommendation of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health for physical distancing. We will continue to accept applications dropped off in-person, however, our staff cannot meet with clients in person to discuss applications. We appreciate your understanding and hope to return to normal operations soon.
Overview
The Surface Rights Board is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that assists landowners/occupants and operators resolve disputes about surface access and compensation when operators require access to private land or occupied crown land to develop subsurface resources such as oil, gas, and coal or to build and operate pipelines and power transmission lines.
The Board has authority to grant rights of entry and to assist landowners and operators resolve disputes about:
- rights of entry and related compensation
- compensation review
- damages
- recovery of rentals
- review of its past decisions
It reports to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, but it operates independently and can generally set its own procedural rules.
What's new
November 2020
As part of the Government of Alberta's Red Tape Reduction mandate, we have changes the Surface Rights Board Rules. These changes will result in more efficient and straightforward process for parties involved.
Go to Surface Rights Board – Resources for full details.
Mission, values and vision
Mission
The mission of the Surface Rights Board is to provide accessible processes, delivering timely and fair dispute resolution processes within our legislated mandate.
Values
In carrying out its mission, the Surface Rights Board is guided by the following values:
- fairness
- impartiality
- excellence
- efficiency
- timeliness
- accessibility
- accountability
- transparency
- independence
- integrity
Vision
The Surface Rights Board will be known for:
- providing independent, community-based, accessible, fair, timely, and ethical processes
- supporting Board Members in the provision of high-quality adjudication services
- ensuring a high level of awareness and knowledge of the Board’s mandate and purposes
- creating a healthy work environment that supports staff to provide quality service and to continually learn and develop knowledge, skills, and expertise
Governance
- Mandate and Roles document
- Public recruitment process
- Competency matrix (PDF, 251 KB)
- Code of Conduct
- Organizational Chart (PDF, 635 KB)
Annual reports
Read the annual reports from 2017 to 2006.
Compensation disclosure
Public sector bodies are required to post online the names and compensation paid to:
- all board members, regardless of amount
- employees who earn over a threshold amount (see Public sector body compensation disclosure)
This is a requirement under the Public Sector Compensation Transparency Act. The postings are required by June 30 each year and will be maintained for 5 years.
As of July 2016, the Chairs of the Surface Rights Board, Land Compensation Board, Municipal Government Board, and New Home Buyer Protection Board were combined into a single position.
Compensation disclosure files
- QJB's Chair Disclosure (CSV, 1 KB)
- SRB-LCB Board Member Disclosure (CSV, 9 KB)
Board members
All Board Members and the Board Chair are appointed by the Government of Alberta Cabinet. The Board is comprised of a cross-section of Albertans selected through a public recruitment process.
All Board members are governed by their Code of Conduct. For more information on the appointment process, see the Mandate and Roles document.
The Board reports annually to the provincial Minister of Municipal Affairs, but the Board sets its own rules and operates independently from the government and other agencies.
Members
Directors
Solicitors
Contact
Connect with the Surface Rights Board:
Phone: 780-427-2444
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-427-5798
Email: [email protected]
Address:
1229 91 Street SW
Edmonton, Alberta T6X 1E9