The present Act provides the Government of the Northwest Territories with authority related to the disposition and use of land, including the disposition of subsurface minerals. Furthermore, it provides the Government of the North West Territories with the authority to lease and sell land, and sets out prohibitions on trespass and the unauthorized use of public lands.

The present Act lays down provisions relating to land use planning. Section 2 of the above-mentioned Act establishes that the Commissioner may designate any area in the Territories as a development area where the Commissioner considers that it will be necessary in the public interest to regulate the orderly development of the area, as contemplated by this Act.

This Act authorizes two or more persons, when land is granted, transferred, conveyed, assured, devised or assigned, to take the land or interest in land as tenants in common and not as joint tenants.