Canada. Dept. of the Interior. School Lands Branch

Secondary Agency

Canada. Dept. of the Interior. School Lands Branch

• School Lands Branch

1879-1930

The School Lands Branch was established in 1879 to administer lands that were reserved for education purposes under the Dominion Lands Act, 1872. The Act stated that sections 11 and 29 of every surveyed township were designated as school lands. Any revenue generated from the sale of these lands was to finance school construction and the purchase of school supplies.

The rapidly increasing population of the western Canadian territories and the need for federal assistance to help build educational facilities necessitated special legislation by the Canadian government. This law also resulted in the creation of a separate School Lands Branch within the Department of the Interior to administer the terms of the act. The Branch was responsible for arranging public auctions for the sale of school lands, inspecting property, and setting the price for land. The lands could not be sold until a fair market value could be attained; in the interim, the land was often leased for grazing, timber, and/or haying purposes. Monies collected for these purposes were added to the territorial/provincial education endowment.

The School Lands Branch was placed under the direction of Frank Checkley from 1879 to 1918. Initially, the Branch reported to the Minister of the Department of the Interior through the Commissioner of Dominion Lands. In 1909, the Branch reported directly to the Minister. In 1918, the status of the Branch was downgraded to a Division, and it was placed back under the authority of the Dominion Lands Branch, and was renamed the Dominion Lands Bureau. The unit was disbanded in 1930 when the management of natural resources and dedicated Crown Lands in the western provinces was transferred to the provinces. In Saskatchewan, this authority transferred to the Department of Natural Resources, Lands Branch which operated from 1930 to 1944.

In 1879, the School Lands Branch was established to administer lands that were reserved for education purposes under the Dominion Lands Act, 1872. Sections 11 and 29 of every surveyed township were designated as school lands. Any revenue generated from the sale of these lands was to finance school construction and the purchase of school supplies. The Branch conducted property inspections, determined value, arranged auctions for land sales, and administered leasing arrangements for grazing, timber and haying.

Dominion Lands Act (35 Vic., c. 23, s. 22, 1872)
School Lands Act, 1879

Canada. Dept of the Interior (1873-1936)

Saskatchewan. Lands Branch (1931-)

Saskatchewan. Department of Natural Resources (1930-1944)

Canada. Dept of the Interior (1873-1936)

GA 167

Rules for Archival Description (RAD)

Concept

Authority record created on 2016-02-01. Approved . Last modified on 2017-11-29.

National Archives of Canada, School Lands Branch administrative history, R190-0-3E.
The Records of the Department of the Interior and Research Concerning Canada's Western Frontier of Settlement by Irene M. Spry, University of Regina Press, 1993.
AMICUS Authorities - no entry found.