Policy on Management of Real Property

1. Effective date 

1.1  This policy takes effect on November 1, 2006.

1.2  Together with the directive and standards listed in section 4 below, it replaces the following:

• Treasury Board Federal Contaminated Sites and Solid Waste Landfills Inventory Policy
• Treasury Board Federal Contaminated Sites Management Policy
• Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy
• Treasury Board Open and Fair Real Property Transactions Policy
• Treasury Board Policy on the Disposal of Surplus Real Property
• Treasury Board Real Property Accessibility Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Administration Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Environment Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Investment Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Management Framework Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Revenue Policy
• Treasury Board Real Property Transactions, Processes, and Authorities Policy
• Treasury Board Use of Real Property Facilities Policy

2. Application 

2.1       This policy applies to all departments within the meaning of section 2 of the Financial Administration Act, unless specific acts or regulations override it. 

2.2       The requirement with respect to the Directory of Federal Real Property and to the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory at section 6.1.15 of this policy also applies to Crown corporations as defined in the Reporting Standard for Real Property. 

Note: For interpretation of this policy and the related directive and standards in the Province of Quebec, "real property" means "immovable" within the meaning of civil law of the Province of Quebec and includes the rights of a lessee in respect of such an immovable. 

3. Context 

3.1       Real property and real property information are significant corporate resources that, when managed well, enable effective and efficient government programs, inform strategic decision-making and facilitate horizontal initiatives.

3.2       The management of real property is a systematic, structured process covering real property activities on a whole-of-life basis. It includes activities related to planning, acquisition, use and disposal for which both custodian and tenant departments are responsible.

3.3       This policy is issued pursuant to the Financial Administration Act, subsections 7(1), 9(1.1), 9(2) and 149(1), and the Federal Real Property and Federal Immovables Act, subsection 16(4).

3.4            Ministers have administration of real property only in support of the mandated programs of their departments. Deputy heads are accountable to their respective minister and to the Treasury Board for the sound stewardship of these assets in accordance with legislation, regulations and Treasury Board policy instruments that promote due diligence, ethical behaviour and sound management practices, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and value for Canadian taxpayers. They are also responsible for ensuring real property is managed in a manner that fulfills any legal obligations with respect to Aboriginal groups and that the Honour of the Crown is upheld. 

3.5       This policy is framed by the principles set out in the Policy Framework for the Management of Assets and Acquired Services. It is essential that this policy be implemented in conjunction with related Treasury Board policies governing assets, in particular the Common Services Policy, the Policy on Long-term Capital Plans, Policy on Fire Protection, Investigation and Reporting and the Policy on Project Management.

3.6            Treasury Board has authorized the Secretary of the Treasury Board to amend operational directives and standards issued in support of this policy. Additional mandatory requirements for the management of real property are set out in the following policy instruments: 

• Directive on the Sale or Transfer of Surplus Real Property;
• Accessibility Standard for Real Property;
• Appraisals and Estimates Standard for Real Property; and
• Reporting Standard for Real Property.