This paper provides a general overview of the procedures inherent in lien registration against each of a basic commercial project, condo project, pipeline or mineral interest. It then offers a more in-depth analysis of issues related to lien registration against an oil sands project, exploring the technical registration issues that can arise.

This paper was presented at LESA’s Construction Law program offered in February 2015. Note that the Builders’ Lien Act, RSA 1980, B-12 was repealed in 2022 and replaced by the Prompt Payment and Construction Lien Act, RSA 2000, c P-26.4. This paper references the repelaed legislation and should be reviewed in the context of the new legislation.