Private Property Interests in Shoreline Land in Newfoundland & Labrador

Abstract

For over 130 years, Newfoundland law has recognized a reservation of land bordering on bodies of water, known as the “foreshore”. There has long been public interest in acquiring good title to waterfront land, particularly the foreshore directly at the water’s edge, and contrarily, there is significant public interest in the preservation of the public nature of the water’s edge. This paper will explore the doctrine of adverse possession against Crown Land as it relates to the foreshore, the impact of personal ownership rights, obtaining good title, and the effect of erosion and climate change on ownership interest in waterside lands.