Strategic direction

Strategic direction for management of Ontario Crown land

This policy provides direction on how the ministry manages Crown lands, while defining Crown land and its management. The policy also identifies the mission, goals and principles for managing Crown land, including the ministry’s guiding principles for Crown land management and land disposition.

Strategic direction for management of Ontario Crown land

Lands administration

Appraisal and valuation of public lands policy

This policy and procedure cover the evaluation for annual rent and fees related to the disposition of public land. It applies to the appraisal and evaluation of all public land, including land under water and land under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.

Appraisal and valuation of public lands policy

Appraisal and valuation of public lands procedure

Breach of terms and conditions of Crown and ministry documents

This policy sets out actions that may be taken if tenants or lessees do not comply with the terms and conditions of Crown documents. It also suggests potential solutions and remedies for breaches.

Breach of terms and conditions of Crown and ministry documents

Consent to assign, transfer, mortgage or charge Crown or ministry documents

This policy and procedure applies when permission is required by the Minister for certain actions of assignment, transfer, sublease or mortgage of lands held under the authority of Crown or ministry documents. This includes:

  • Crown Lease
  • Summer Resort Lease
  • Water Lot Lease
  • Provincial Parks Lease
  • Licence of Occupation

Consent to assign, transfer, mortgage or charge Crown or ministry documents: Policy

Consent to assign, transfer, mortgage or charge Crown or ministry documents: Procedure

Depatenting of acquired land

This policy describes the rationale and administrative processes for returning public lands acquired by the Ontario government to the status of unpatented Crown land. This is known as de-patenting land.

Depatenting of acquired land

Ownership determinations - Beds of Navigable Waters Act

This policy outlines the ministry’s administrative responsibilities and considerations in determining navigability of waterbodies. It also outlines the effect this determination can have on the ownership of the bed of the waterbody.

Ownership determinations - Beds of Navigable Waters Act: Policy

Ownership determinations - Beds of Navigable Waters Act: Procedure

Power of sale assignments

This policy enables the Crown to recover debts owing for mortgaged leased Crown land and property in default. It deals with the power of sales clause which gives a lender the right upon default of a debt, to advertise and sell the property.

Power of sale assignments

Quit claims letters patent

This policy provides direction for the review of applications and evidence for quit claim letters patent.

Note: In 2021, we made changes to Section 17 of the Public Lands Act. Because of these changes, the Quit Claim Letters Patent Policy now contains outdated information and will be amended.

The changes to the Act mean it is no longer possible to acquire title to public lands through adverse possession. You may still request a quit claim letters patent where at least 60 years of possession occurred before December 2, 2021.

Read the regulatory registry for more information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Quit claims letters patent

Restricted areas

This policy provides direction for the establishment and administration of restricted areas on private land by the Minister. It is specific to areas without municipal organization.

Restricted areas - Section 13, Public Lands Act

Waterfront boundaries for grants of public (Crown) lands

This policy provides shoreline boundary survey direction for the disposition of all waterfront public lands.

Waterfront boundaries for grants of public (Crown) lands

Forfeiture acquisitions

This policy addresses the acquisition of land by the ministry due to forfeiture for non-payment of Local Roads Board Tax, Mining Land Tax and/or Provincial Land Tax.

Forfeiture acquisitions

Public land stewardship

Bait Harvesting – Occupational Authority

This policy relates to permanent structures used by licensed bait harvesters on Crown land. It deals with requests to establish buildings and outlines permitted types and locations of buildings.

Bait Harvesting – Occupational Authority

Exercise of percentage reservation for roads

When public lands were granted to private ownership in northern Ontario, often a percentage (typically 5% - 10%) of the land area was reserved to the Crown to facilitate road access and the settlement of the province. This policy and procedure detail how and under what circumstances these reservations may be exercised by the Crown to facilitate road access across private land for ministry programs, where required, and to provide access to private property where no other option exists.

Exercise of percentage reservation for roads: Policy

Exercise of percentage reservation for roads: Procedure

Non-resident Crown land camping

Most non-residents of Canada need a Crown land camping permit to camp on Crown land north of the French and Mattawa Rivers. This policy helps non-residents of Canada find out if they need a Crown land camping permit.

Note: Due to changes we made to the Public Lands Act and Ontario Regulation 326/94, this policy is now outdated and is under review. For information on non-resident Crown land camping, refer to the regulation.

If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Non-resident Crown land camping and green zones

Public Lands Act work permits

This policy and procedure provides direction on when you need a Public Lands Act work permit to conduct proposed work activities on public lands and shore lands, including privately owned shore lands. It also covers how you can obtain a work permit.

Note: Due to changes we made to the Public Lands Act in 2021, this policy is under review.

Read the regulatory registry for more information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Public Lands Act work permits: Policy

Shoreline reservations for recreation and access

This policy provides direction on retaining a portion of public land for recreation and access purposes when disposing of waterfront Crown land.

Note: In 2021 we made changes to Section 3 of the Public Lands Act. Because of these changes, the Shoreline Reservations for Recreation and Access Policy is under review and will be updated.

We amended the act to clarify that the obligation to maintain public lands fronting on waterbodies does not prevent the minister from:

  • transferring public lands to other governments and government agencies
  • disposing of public lands for the benefit of an Indigenous community or to a municipality

Read the regulatory registry for more information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Shoreline reservations for recreation and access

Trapline buildings – Occupational Authority

This directive provides policy direction for the use of public lands (other than lands regulated as provincial parks or conservation reserves) by licensed furbearer trappers, to provide buildings for shelter, accommodation, safety and efficient fur trapline management.

Trapline buildings – Occupational Authority (PDF, 149 KB)

Unauthorized occupation of public land

This policy provides a risk-based compliance approach to the prevention, management and resolution of unauthorized occupations on Crown land.

Unauthorized occupation of public land

Withdrawal and reopening of surface and/or mining rights

This procedure applies to the withdrawal and reopening of prospecting, staking out and sale or lease of any Crown lands, mining and/or surface rights under the Mining Act. The policy aims to minimize unnecessary withdrawal orders and eliminate non-discretionary disposition of mining lands.

Withdrawal and reopening of surface and/or mining rights: Procedure

Public land management

Advertising signs on public lands

This policy covers the rules for placing signs on public lands.

Advertising signs on public lands

Application review and land disposition process

This policy outlines the process for the disposition of rights to use or acquire an interest in public lands. The policy is a fundamental part of effective and sustainable management of the public land base.

Application review and land disposition process

Comfort letters for projects proposed on public lands

This policy describes how the ministry will consider a request for a comfort letter for proposed uses of, or dispositions of an interest in lands administered under the Public Lands Act.

Comfort letters for projects proposed on public lands

Commercial outpost camps

This policy applies to commercial fixed, portable or temporary camp structures on public lands that are accessible only by air, water or trail. The policy contributes to Ontario’s tourism and economic development while ensuring proper management and orderly allocation of sites.

Commercial outpost camps

Communication tower sites on Crown land

This policy sets out a standardized approach for rental rates and administrative fees for telecommunication towers on public land.

Communication tower sites on Crown land: Policy

Dedicated roads in private plans of subdivision in unincorporated territory

This policy and procedure provides direction to ministry staff and informs the public on the approach to transfer portions of dedicated roads in private plans of subdivision in unincorporated territory, where these lands are required for adjacent land owners to accommodate their encroachments.

Dedicated roads in private plans of subdivision in unincorporated territory: Policy

Dedicated roads in private plans of subdivision in unincorporated territory: Procedure

Disposition of Crown land to a ministry employee

This policy states that special provisions apply to the purchase of a right, title or interest in public lands by a ministry employee. Employees are required to obtain the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to ensure they do not receive preferential treatment or benefit from special knowledge by virtue of their employment.

Note: Due to changes we made to the Public Lands Act in 2021, this policy is under review.

Read the regulatory registry for more information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Disposition of Crown land to a ministry employee

Disposition of public land to other governments and government agencies

This policy deals with the transfer of public land to governments and government agencies and includes procedures identifying how they may hold land. The policy helps ensure the integrity of land transfers in Ontario.

Note: Due to changes we made to the Public Lands Act in 2021, the Disposition of Public Land to other Governments and Government Agencies Policy is under review and will be updated.

Amendments to the Public Lands Act around Section 37 have streamlined the management of unpatented Crown land. If these lands are controlled by other ministers or agents of the province, they may be sold to third parties.

Read the regulatory registry for additional information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Disposition of public land to other governments and government agencies

Easements (Grants of)

This document provides policy and procedural direction to ministry staff on how the ministry may grant easements, such as rights of ways, over public lands, consistent with Section 21 of the Public Lands Act.

Easements (Grants of)

Municipal road allowances

This policy provides direction on the ministry’s recognition of municipal authority for the administration and disposition of municipal road allowances.

Municipal road allowances

Recreation camp site management

This policy addresses the administration, management and disposition of recreation camp sites for private non-commercial use on Crown land.

Recreation camp site management

Release and voidance of restrictions in land grants

This policy identifies how reservation and exception clauses in public land grants can be released or voided. Many restrictions such as reservations and exceptions are obsolete, outdated or no longer are of interest to the Crown.

Note: Due to changes we made to the Public Lands Act in 2021, this policy is under review.

Read the regulatory registry for additional information on the recent Public Lands Act changes. If you have any questions, contact your local work centre.

Release and voidance of restrictions in land grants

Road allowances, dedicated roads and Crown shoreline reserves – Disposition

This policy and procedure provide direction to ministry staff and informs municipalities and the public about the ministry’s approach to the disposition of Crown shoreline reserves, road allowances and dedicated roads on Crown land under the ministry’s jurisdiction.

Road allowances, dedicated roads and Crown shoreline reserves – Disposition: Policy

Road allowances, dedicated roads and Crown shoreline reserves – Disposition: Procedure

Utility corridors on public land

This policy and procedure provides direction to the utility industry, ministry staff and the public on land tenure arrangements and the rental fee structure for utility corridors situated on public land in Ontario.

Utility corridors on public land: Policy

Utility corridors on public land: Procedure

Waste disposal sites on Crown land: land use occupational authority

This policy provides direction on land use occupational authority required for existing, expanded or new waste disposal sites on Crown land.

Waste disposal sites on Crown land: land use occupational authority

Waste management activity

This policy deals with the ministry’s role in the operation and management of waste management sites outside of municipally incorporated areas.

Ministry waste management activity

Renewable energy

Renewable energy on Crown land

This policy establishes how the ministry manages access to Crown land for the following renewable energy development types:

  • water power
  • onshore wind power
  • solar power

Renewable energy on Crown land

Waterpower site release - Crown land

This procedure outlines how site access is granted for applications that received an energy procurement contract prior to 2014.

Waterpower site release - Crown land: Procedure

Onshore wind power development on Crown Land

This procedure outlines how site access is granted for applications that received an energy procurement contract prior to 2014.

Onshore wind power development on Crown land

Rents/fees

Administrative fees for public land transactions

This policy outlines fees for administrative tasks associated with the management and disposition of Crown land. Common fees include services for site descriptions and certified documents, and transaction fees for sale of land.

Administrative fees for public land transactions

Crown land rental policy

This policy sets out rents and fees for the rental of public lands under the ministry’s control. The policy also provides for the phase-in of large rent/fee increases.

Crown land rental policy

Compliance

Court orders for removal and/or restoration

This policy provides direction to ensure that court orders and probation orders are sought, when required, when the ministry determines that illegal and unwanted improvements should be removed and in certain cases, the sites should be restored, both at the expense of the convicted person.

Court orders for removal and/or restoration: Policy

Court orders for removal and/or restoration: Procedure

Post disposition compliance monitoring

This policy applies to the terms and conditions set out for various forms of land use occupational authorities, such as sale, lease, licence of occupation, land use permit and easement. Land use occupational authority is monitored to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements are followed.

Post disposition compliance monitoring

Stop work orders

This policy describes how and when an officer designated under the Public Lands Act can issue an order for a person to cease activities that are in violation of the Act.

Stop work orders