New Brunswick
Personal Property Registry

Information Guide

What is the Personal Property Registry?
What benefits does the new PPR service offer?
What basis does the PPR have in law?
What is the status of security documents filed under the old legislation?
How does the PPR work?
What are some of the Personal Property Registry functions?
What types of registrations are available?
Is the PPR "user friendly"?
Is the information secure?
What do I need to connect to the PPR?
What is ACOL?
Can I access the PPR in other provinces?
How do I register for ACOL PPR access?
Questions?



What is the Personal Property Registry? to top

The Personal Property Registry (PPR) is a centralized computer registry that serves the entire province of New Brunswick. The PPR allows both individuals and institutions to record their financial interest in personal property (cars, boats, appliances, etc.). For example, if you arrange a car loan from a financial institution, then the car is the security for your loan and the institution becomes the secured party. Until you have repaid the loan, the institution has an interest in the car. The institution registers its security interest in the PPR. This registration establishes the institution's priority against other secured parties who have a secured interest in the car. This information is available and accessible by any individual or company who may wish to purchase the car or grant another loan using the car as collateral.

One of the other ways interests in personal property can be secured is through the courts. A judgment in a civil matter can be declared which means that a person has the right to recover money from another person. If you do not receive immediate payment then the court can approve enforcement proceedings. Once approved, you must enter the Notice of Judgment into the PPR before the sheriff carries out the court's order. Your registered notice is a secured interest on the title of the judgment's debtor's personal property. It creates a right in the property for an amount equal to the judgment.


What benefits does the new PPR service offer? to top

  • Convenience – PPR offers remote access from your office or home as an alternative to personal visits to government locations, although access will be available on terminals in participating locations, such as the Registry and Mapping offices within Service New Brunswick.
  • Province-wide – The PPR permits clients to register and search all registered notices for the entire province with only one transaction.
  • Availability – You have access to the PPR beyond normal business hours, subject to system maintenance and backup processes.
  • Protection – The PPR provides easy access to information, which improves protection for consumers and secured parties making legislation more effective.
  • Accuracy – Direct input of information by the client ensures accuracy and timeliness, resulting in risk reduction and service responsiveness.


What basis does the PPR have in law? to top

The Personal Property Security Act (PPSA) came into effect on April 18, 1995. On that date, a number of existing acts were amended and the following acts repealed:

  • Bills of Sales Act
  • Conditional Sales Act
  • Assignment of Book Debts Act
  • Corporation Securities Registration Act
  • Forest Products Loans Act


What is the status of security documents filed under the old legislation? to top

A document filed or registered under the old legislation continued to retain its priority for three years after the new legislation became effective. The end of that three-year period was April 18, 1998. To retain its priority beyond that date, the document had to be renewed in the electronic PPR as described in the legislation and regulation. The paper documents that were renewed or "brought forward" are retained in the local Registry and Mapping office where they will remain until they are discharged or expired. Copies of documents are available by requesting them from the appropriate office.


How does the PPR work? to top

The PPR is a notice-based system. Secured parties or their agents are responsible for entering accurate and timely information in the PPR upon registration. The legislation does not allow registry office staff registering or searching information on behalf of the client, but they are available to offer assistance when necessary. Upon registration, a verification statement is available to the registrant confirming the details of the security interest. Changes to the registration information produce a notice of change report that is distributed electronically or by mail to all secured parties as addressed in the registration. The legislation stipulates secured parties are required, for a fee, to make a copy of the security agreement available to those entitled to receive or inspect them.


What are some of the Personal Property Registry functions? to top

The PPR provides the following functions: enter, amend, renew, re-register, and discharge registrations; globally change registrations for a secured party; search the PPR database by individual debtor name, enterprise debtor name, serial numbered collateral identification, or registration number, and perform a variety of administrative functions such as create a secured party number, create and modify client information.

For large-volume users, the capability exists to submit a batch file consisting of multiple registrations, changes, and searches.


What types of registrations are available? to top

The PPR accepts six types of registrations including:

  • PPSA Financing Statement
  • Creditors' Relief Act Notice of Judgment
  • Creditors' Relief Act Notice of Claim
  • Notice of Appointment of Receiver
  • Marital Property Act Household Goods Order Lien
  • Employment Standards Act Employees' Lien


Is the PPR "user friendly"? to top

The PPR, available through ACOL*, is designed for simplicity. The familiar Windows-based graphical user interface with drop-down menus and context-sensitive help is used to save time in learning and using the system.


Is the information secure? to top

User IDs and passwords identify who has entered registrations or changes to registrations. The PPR automatically requires changes to passwords on a regular basis. Information registered in the PPR is backed up and stored at alternative locations.


What do I need to connect to the PPR? to top

In the spring of 1999, the initial implementation of the NB PPR system migrated to a new release of software. These enhancements mean that the PPR in New Brunswick and other provinces are accessible through ACOL. Like the previous system, you can log on to the PPR from your home or business using your personal computer. This accessibility means that clients require the ACOL Desktop software provided by Unisys which will be delivered to you when registration for the service is complete. Connection to the PPR is through your local Internet service provider. For infrequent users of the registry, client-activated workstations are located at the Registry and Mapping offices throughout the Province. Daily access to these workstations is available by contacting registry staff for user privileges and instructions.


What is ACOL? to top

ACOL is an exciting new on-line information service that has the potential to provide electronic access to a wide variety of government information that is maintained by the four provincial governments of Atlantic Canada. It utilizes the latest electronic commerce technology adhering to stringent standards for security and confidentiality. It offers a convenient, single-point of access to public information from your remote personal computer or the client-activated workstations located in participating government departments. Unlike many other services, ACOL has the ability to submit information for registration purposes in addition to the simple retrieval of data. Doing business with government is easier and more efficient than ever before!

This service is managed by Unisys Canada Inc. within a public/private partnership with the governments of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. It is based on a multi-year contract that was signed by the four premiers on May 10, 1996.

For more information about ACOL, including equipment requirements, obtaining an ACOL account, payment arrangements, and ACOL service availability, please refer to the ACOL Information Guide.


Can I access the PPR in other provinces? to top

The ACOL service provides access to the PPR in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with other provinces planned. This capability offers clients with appropriate access privileges the ability to carry out business functions such as registrations, searches and changes in multiple provinces. This multi-jurisdictional capability provides a uniform approach resulting in higher levels of service and better business practices.


How do I register for ACOL PPR access? to top

For remote access to the ACOL PPR service, you require an ACOL account with PPR access privileges. To acquire an account, complete all required documents provided in the ACOL Information Kit. These can be obtained from the Client Support Centre. Return the completed ACOL Client Application and Financial Agreement with initial fees to Unisys for processing.

Once your application has been received, Unisys creates an ACOL client account and user IDs with PPR access privileges for those individuals you have identified on your client application. Each client will receive the ACOL Welcome Package that includes a welcome letter with your user IDs and default passwords to access the system.

The ACOL Desktop software and software license with simple installation instructions will also be mailed to you. While all software is user-friendly and easy to load, telephone support from the Client Support Centre will be available. Once installed, on-line help is available in the software.

Existing ACOL clients must request their Addendum to Client Application from the Client Support Centre. Once completed and returned, the PPR Administrative User must create the client information for New Brunswick. This enables the other users with appropriate subscription options the capability to enter and/or search registrations in this province.


Questions? to top

For more information, refer to the ACOL Information Guide, contact the ACOL Client Support Centre, or visit the Registry and Mapping office closest to you.

Release date: 8 March 1999