CanadaDoes expropriation compensation cover my moving costs and business losses?
Yes, expropriation compensation in Canada can cover moving costs and business losses under the federal Expropriation Act, which includes damages for disturbance, relocation, and other losses.
What the Law Says
The federal Expropriation Act sets out how compensation is calculated when the Crown takes private land. It goes beyond just the market value of the land to include real-world impacts on owners and businesses.
Under section 24 of the Expropriation Act, compensation is not limited to the market value of the land. It also includes ‘damages for disturbance, relocation and other losses’ that result from the expropriation.
This means eligible claimants — including homeowners, tenants, and business owners — may recover reasonable moving expenses, costs of finding and setting up a new location, and quantifiable business losses (e.g., lost profits during relocation, loss of goodwill, or interruption of operations), provided these are directly caused by the expropriation and supported by evidence.
The Act does not set fixed dollar limits for disturbance or relocation — amounts are assessed case-by-case based on reasonableness, necessity, and proof.
Statutory TextCompensation is based on the market value of the land plus damages for disturbance, relocation and other losses.
— Expropriation Act, s. 24 — Compensation determination
What to Do
Gather receipts and records for all moving, storage, and setup costs.
Document business losses with financial statements, invoices, and expert appraisals (e.g., accountant or business valuator).
Submit a detailed claim to the expropriating authority within the timeline they specify (often 60–90 days of notice).
If agreement cannot be reached, apply to the Federal Court for a compensation hearing under section 28 of the Expropriation Act.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.