Bill 10 (The Miscellaneous Statutes (Public Registries Enhancement) Amendment Act, 2024
Second Reading
From Hansard (31 March 2025)

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Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I now move second reading of The Miscellaneous Statutes (Public Registries Enhancement) Amendment Act, 2024.

This bill makes several important updates to our public registries, including the corporate registry, land titles registry, and the personal property registry. Public registries play a crucial role in Saskatchewan’s legal and economic systems. As a result, it is important that the registries remain modernized, secure, and efficient.

In Saskatchewan the public registries are provided by Information Services Corporation pursuant to an agreement with the government. Under the extension agreement with the government, Information Services Corporation is required to update the registry IT [information technology] systems. Mr. Speaker, these amendments accommodate those IT updates in two key areas.

First, the amendments grant registrars express authority to verify the identities of persons who conduct registry searches and submit registry documents and who are referred to in registry documents. This would promote registry security and integrity with both search and registration activities. Verification information would not be available to the public, but in appropriate cases registrars may share the information with law enforcement bodies.

Second, the amendments grant registrars authority to accept documents signed using digital signatures in appropriate circumstances. Digital signatures can enhance registry security and increase convenience for stakeholders.

Mr. Speaker, the amendments also make general updates to improve the operation of Saskatchewan’s public registries. The amendments will create new regulation-making authorities to address requests for large volumes of information. This approach is similar to existing authorities under The Land Titles Act, 2000. The amendments will also correct an inconsistency under The Personal Property Security Act, 1993 respecting registered security interests in crops for creditors who finance agricultural inputs.

Additionally, these amendments will update The Libel and Slander Act to remove the register of newspapers from the Act. This registry is obsolete, as its contents are available through other portions of the corporate registry in a more accurate and up-to-date form. The register of newspapers is unique to Saskatchewan, and no other jurisdiction has a comparable registry in place. Removing the register of newspapers at this time will ensure that it does not need to be modernized as part of the new IT registry updates. This will result in cost savings and eliminate confusion within the registries.

Finally, the amendments make administrative updates to clarify the operation and intent of registry legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The Miscellaneous Statutes (Public Registries Enhancement) Amendment Act, 2024.

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