Periodically the municipality holds tax sales on properties that are in arrears for their taxes. Tax sales are advertised on this page, in the municipal newsletter and in local papers.

Current Tax Sales

The Municipality of the District of St. Mary's will be holding an upcoming property tax sale by Public Auction on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 11:00 am at 8296 Highway #7, Sherbrooke. 
For a full list of properties, please view: pdf Tax Sale Ad for March 7th 2023 as of March 2nd 2023 (457 KB) .

Tax Sales

Tax sales are a public auction with the successful bid being the highest bid at or above the advertised price. The amount advertised is the total of all outstanding taxes, penalties, water utility balances outstanding, interest and tax sale costs. Bidding will begin at the advertised price listed in the attached Tax Sale Ad. Properties will be sold in the same order they are shown in the advertisement.

Payment

Successful bidders must pay the advertised price immediately following the sale of each property. Bidders cannot leave the building to obtain payment.

Successful bidders must pay the beginning bid (amount advertised) immediately following the sale of each property, bidders cannot leave the building to obtain payment method.  Payment must be made by way of CASH, CERTIFIED CHEQUE, MONEY ORDER or DEBIT. Bidders are reminded to ensure daily debit limits on their bank accounts are considered and adjusted prior to attending the tax sale. The balance of the bid, if any, must be paid within three (3) days of the Tax Sale by cash, certified cheque, money order or debit.

All bids and payments are to be made in Canadian funds.

Properties and Procedures

  • Any property may be paid in full up to the day of the sale and removed from the tax sale.
  • All properties may or may not be subject to a six (6) month redemption period, which is stated in the advertisement and at the time of sale.
  • Redemption – means that a property owner has six (6) months to redeem/ reclaim their property. If the property does get redeemed, the purchaser is reimbursed all monies that they paid to purchase the property plus interest.
  • If a property is purchased and it is subject to the six-month redemption period, the purchaser cannot do anything to the property. (Example; woods land, they cannot be logged; vacant lot, cannot be built upon). The purchaser must comply with Section VI 151 of the MGA.
  • If a property is not redeemed the purchaser may proceed with obtaining a Tax Sale Deed.
  • The Municipality DOES NOT survey any of the Tax Sale properties. The property may or may not be migrated. A tax sale deed example can be obtained by contacting the Director of Finance/Treasurer.
  • The cost to prepare and register the tax deed is the responsibility of the purchaser and is not included in the Tax Sale Costs. A certificate of sale will be provided and registered by the Municipality within 10 days of the sale.
  • Take notice that Tax Sales do not in all circumstances clear up defects in the title. A tax deed conveys only the interest of the assessed owners, whatever their interest may be.
  • If you are intending to clear up defects in the title of the property by way of Tax Sale, you are advised to obtain an independent Legal Opinion.
  • The Municipality of St. Mary’s makes no representation or warranties to any purchases regarding the fitness, geophysical or environmental suitability of the land(s) offered for sale for any particular use and are being sold on an “as is” basis only.
  • Bidding will begin at the advertised price.
  • All bids and payments are to be made in Canadian funds.
  • Bids are to be clearly communicated verbally in whole dollar figures by an individual present at the tax sale. Please raise your hand when communicating a bid.
  • If for some reason the minimum payment cannot be successfully completed at the time of the sale, the property will be re-auctioned immediately beginning at the opening bid again.
  • Tax Sale properties are not migrated at the time of the sale.
  • The property will be sold to the highest bidder.
  • Vacant land (s) and Commercial properties are subject to HST charges. Purchasers will be required to provide HST Registration Number at the time of the sale if they have one.
  • Tax sale deeds are not subject to municipal deed transfer tax, but provincial deed transfer tax may apply.
  • Municipal council members and employees are not permitted to purchase property at a tax sale. Nor are their spouses, or companies in which they or their spouses own the majority shares permitted to purchase property at a tax sale. This includes purchasing the property either directly or through an agent.