A Canadian Quitclaim Deed (also called a Release of Interest or Transfer of Land) is a legal instrument that transfers whatever interest a person holds in a property to another person, without any warranty or guarantee regarding the quality, completeness, or validity of that interest. This is fundamentally different from a warranty deed or grant deed, where the transferor guarantees they have good and marketable title and will defend the title against all claims.

In Canada, real property transfers are governed by provincial Land Titles Acts. Ontario operates under the Land Titles Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. L.5) and the Land Registration Reform Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. L.4), which established the electronic registration system operated through Teraview. British Columbia’s transfers are governed by the Land Title Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 250) and processed through the BC Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA). Alberta uses the Land Titles Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. L-4) with electronic registration through the SPIN2 system.

The term “quitclaim deed” is used primarily in Ontario common-law practice. In BC, the equivalent is a Form A Transfer without covenants of title. In Alberta, it is a Transfer of Land without title warranties. Regardless of the terminology, the legal effect is the same: the transferor conveys only their existing interest, whatever that interest may be, without any representation or warranty. The Canada Land Survey System and Torrens title system used in most provinces provide additional protections through the registration process, as the land titles register serves as conclusive evidence of title ownership.

A Canadian Quitclaim Deed is most commonly used for property transfers between family members, where the parties trust each other and a full title warranty is unnecessary. A parent transferring a property interest to a child, siblings adjusting ownership shares after inheriting a property, or one co-owner buying out another are typical scenarios.

Divorce and separation settlements frequently require quitclaim deeds. When a court orders or the parties agree that one spouse will retain the matrimonial home, the other spouse executes a quitclaim deed to release their interest. In Ontario, this requires compliance with the Family Law Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. F.3), which governs the division of matrimonial property. In Alberta, the Dower Act (R.S.A. 2000, c. D-15) provides dower rights to non-owning spouses, and a quitclaim deed is used to release these rights.

Title corrections are another common use. If a name was misspelled on a registered title, if a legal description contains an error, or if a deceased person’s name needs to be removed from title, a quitclaim deed can correct the record without the expense and complexity of a warranty deed. Trust transfers — moving property into or out of a family trust — also use quitclaim deeds, as the beneficial ownership may not change and a full title warranty is not needed.

Commercial transactions rarely use quitclaim deeds because commercial buyers typically require title warranties and title insurance. For any non-arm’s-length transaction, however, the quitclaim deed remains the standard instrument for transferring property interests efficiently.

A valid Canadian Quitclaim Deed must identify the Transferor (grantor) and Transferee (grantee) by their full legal names, exactly as they appear or will appear on the registered title. The Transferor’s marital status is relevant because provincial family law may require spousal consent. Ontario’s Family Law Act (s. 21) requires written spousal consent before an owner can transfer a matrimonial home. Alberta’s Dower Act requires consent for homestead dispositions. Without the required consent, the transfer may be voidable.

The property must be identified by its municipal address and its official legal description as recorded at the provincial Land Titles Office. The Property Identification Number (PIN) is required in Ontario, and the Parcel Identifier (PID) is required in British Columbia. These unique identifiers are essential for electronic registration.

The consideration must be stated, even if nominal. For gift transfers or family transfers, $1.00 or $2.00 is customary. However, the CRA treats property dispositions under the Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1 (5th Supp.)) at fair market value regardless of the stated consideration. This means the Transferor may face capital gains tax on the deemed disposition. The principal residence exemption under section 40(2)(b) may shelter the gain if the property was the Transferor’s primary home. Spousal rollovers under section 73(1) may defer tax on transfers between spouses.

Land Transfer Tax is payable in Ontario on the value of the consideration, and the Transferee must file an Affidavit of Residence and Value of Consideration with the transfer. Spousal exemptions under the Land Transfer Tax Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. L.6, s. 3) may apply. In BC, the Property Transfer Tax Act provides its own set of exemptions. The deed must clearly state that no warranty of title is provided, and the Transferee accepts whatever interest the Transferor holds without any guarantees.