An expert opinion is usually needed to determine whether this would be a worthwhile effort. Depending on the circumstances, if a settlement cannot be negotiated, a landowner may have recourse to a meeting before a Negotiation Board, or an arbitration before the Municipal Board.

Takeaway:

• When faced with expropriation it is prudent for a landowner to obtain expert advice, and to obtain an independent appraisal of the land, buidlings, business relocation costs etc.
• It is important however to wait until the expropriation process has been formally triggered before obtaining an appraisal or negotiating with the expropriating authority.