Crown lands in Ontario are managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources through authority of the Public Lands Act. To help guide both the day to day and long term management of Crown lands, Public Land Management Directives (commonly referred to as policies and procedures) have been established by the Ministry to guide Ministry staff, stakeholders and the public in the administration, use, disposition and stewardship of Crown land.
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Crown Land Policy Listing
1.0 Strategic Planning
These policies highlight MNR’s strategic direction for the management of Crown land.
Strategic Direction for Management of Ontario Crown Land
This policy document provides the fundamental direction to how the Ministry manages Crown lands and is organized according to some basic questions, such as what is Ontario Crown land? What is Crown land management and why is it important to the province? What are MNR's land management goal, mission and principles for managing Crown land? What is MNR's policy on the disposition of Crown land?
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2.0 Lands Administration
These policies deal with ownership determinations, land valuation, tenure administration, Crown land surveys, taxation and land records.
Appraisal and Valuation of Public Lands
This policy and associated procedure is related to the disposition of public land and the determination of value for the annual rent and fees for the use of these lands. It applies to the appraisal and valuation of all public land including land under water, as defined in the Public Lands Act, and land under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act.
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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.
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Consent to Assign, Transfer, Mortgage or Charge Crown or Ministry Documents
This policy applies where 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 (ie. Crown lease, Summer Resort Lease, Water Lot Lease, Provincial Parks Lease, Licence of Occupation). The policy seeks to provide prompt review of requests while at the same time ensuring the Crown’s interests are protected.
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Depatenting of Acquired Land
This policy and procedure describe the rational and administrative processes through which lands which have been acquired by the Ontario government, may be depatented and returned to the status of unpatented land.
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Ownership Determinations - Beds of Navigable Waters Act
This policy outlines MNR’s administrative responsibilities and considerations in determining regarding navigability of waterbodies and the effect this determination can have on the ownership of the bed of the waterbody.
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Power of Sale Assignments
This policy enables the Crown to recover debts owing for mortgaged land and property in default. In particular, it deals with the power of sales clause which is a clause often found in mortgage contracts or can be a statutory power, which gives a lender the right upon default of a debt, to advertise and sell the property.
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Quit Claims Letters Patent
The policy provides direction for the review of applications for quit claim letters patent. By issuing a quit claim letters patent, the Crown acknowledges that 60 years of continuous and exclusive possession of Crown land has occurred and that the Crown no longer has any right, title or interest in the occupied land.
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Restricted Areas - Section 13, Public Lands Act
This policy provides direction for the establishment and administration of restricted areas by the Minister, under section 13 of the Public Lands Act, in areas without municipal organization.
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Waterfront Boundaries for Grants of Public (Crown) Lands
This policy provides shoreline boundary survey direction for the disposition of all waterfront public lands.
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3.0 Public Land Stewardship
These policies outline various controls over use and users of Crown land.
Buildings for Bait Harvest Management
This policy applies 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.
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Exercise of Percentage Reservation for Roads
This policy facilitates road access for property owners who do not have any other available access to their property and for municipalities that can not carry out reservations (an interest in land that does not pass with a grant). The policy adopts a reservation system whereby 5-10% of the area granted is reserved for roads depending on the size of the property. This policy grew out of recognition that the practice of reserving is a practical means for providing access for settlement of the province.
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Free Use Policy
This policy identifies the recreational activities and specific commercial and industrial uses of public land that do not require land use occupational authority or payment of fees. Uses that are defined as free use privileges include transient activities such as hiking, boating, canoeing, cross-country skiing, swimming, waterskiing, bird watching, horseback riding, snowmobiling, off-road vehicle operating, non-regulated resource harvesting and fishing and hunting in accordance with game and fish laws. These privileges come with an implicit responsibility of all users to undertake activities in ecologically and socially sound way.
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Incidental Buildings on Public Lands (Interim)
This policy and its accompanying procedure express how the Ministry of Natural Resources will seek to implement the intent of the R. v. Sundown decision on public lands in Ontario, including those lands managed under the Public Lands Act and the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserve Act.
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MNR Waste Management Activity
This policy deals with the operation of MNR waste management sites in unincorporated territories (territory outside of municipally incorporated areas). It identifies ways to coordinate management between Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Ministry of Northern Development and Mines partners to reduce MNR’s operational role. The policy also discusses the role of local users and the adoption of user pay principles to recover costs.
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Non-Resident Crown Land Camping
Public Lands Act Regulation 326/94 generally requires non-residents of Canada to purchase a permit to camp on Crown land. This policy describes the goals of the program: stimulation of tourism in northern Ontario; generation of revenue; and, addressing concerns regarding competition between residents and non-residents for Crown land campsites.
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Public Lands Act Work Permits
This policy provides direction on activities on public and shore lands that require authorization by a Public Lands Act work permit. Work permits are issued to ensure that such activities are undertaken in an environmentally acceptable manner and that activities undertaken on privately owned shore lands do not adversely affect nearby Crown land or interests.
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Shoreline Reservations for Recreation and Access - Section 3 PLA
This policy deals with providing adequate access and recreational opportunities on public land for current and future users. The policy states that where more than 25% of the frontage lands on a body of water are public, at least 25% will be set aside for recreation and access. Where less than 25% of shoreline lands are public, all public lands fronting the water will be set aside.
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Trapline Buildings on Public Land
This directive provides policy direction for the use of public lands (other than lands regulated as provincial parks or conservation reserves) by licenced furbearer trappers, to provide buildings for shelter, accommodation, safety and efficient fur trapline management.
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Unauthorized Occupation of Public Land
Policy PL 3.03.02 provides for a risk based approach to the prevention, management and resolution of unauthorized occupations on Crown land. An unauthorized occupation means that a building, structure or thing is on Crown land without occupational authority or Ministry permission. The accompanying procedure provides direction to Ministry staff on how to implement policy PL 3.03.04 - Unauthorized Occupations.
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Withdrawal and Reopening of Surface and/or Mining Rights - Section 35, Mining Act
This policy 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.
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4.0 Public Land Disposition
These policies provide direction for pre- and post- disposition administration, as well as commercial, industrial, governmental and special dispositions of Crown Land.
Advertising Signs on Public Lands
This policy applies to signs placed on all public lands. Land use permits are granted for signs that do not compromise safety, significantly affect scenic views or convey violent or discriminatory messages.
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Application for Certification for Title under the Certification of Titles Act
This document provides procedural direction to Ministry staff for processing applications for certification of title under the Certification of Titles Act.
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Application Review and Land Disposition Process
This key policy outlines the process for the disposition of rights to use, or acquire an interest in public lands. Examples of dispositions include land use permits, licences of occupation, easements, Crown leases and sales. The policy is a fundamental element of effective and sustainable management of the public land base and MNR’s commitment to conservation of biodiversity.
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Commercial Outpost Camps
This policy applies to commercial fixed, portable or temporary camp structures on public lands which are accessible only by air, water or trail. The aim of this policy is to contribute to Ontario ’s tourism and economic development while ensuring proper management and orderly allocation of sites. The policy lays out eligibility criteria, length of permit or lease, approvals necessary for improvements and responses to non-compliance.
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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. To ensure consistency and equity within the telecommunications industry, all new telecommunication towers sites will be approved through a specific tower site Licence of Occupation , which applies a consistent rental fee structure. The policy recognizes a different fee structure for non-cellular communication companies in Northern Ontario.
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Dedicated Roads in Private Plans of Subdivision in Unincorporated Territory
This policy provides direction to Ministry staff and informs the public regarding the Ministry of Natural Resources' approach to the transferring of 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.
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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 an MNR employee. Employees are required to obtain the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to ensure that they do not receive preferential treatment or benefit from special knowledge by virtue of their employment in MNR.
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Disposition of Public Land to Other Governments and Government Agencies
This policy deals with the sale of public land to governments and government agencies and specifies special procedures for the way governments and their agencies may hold land. The policy is a component to ensuring the integrity of land transfers in Ontario.
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Easements (Grants of)
This document provides policy and procedural direction to Ministry staff on how the Ministry of Natural resources may grant easements over public lands (e.g. rights of way), consistent with Section 21 of the Public Lands Act.
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Municipal Road Allowances
This policy provides clear direction on the Ministry of Natural Resources' recognition of municipal authority for the administration and disposition of municipal road allowances.
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Onshore Windpower Development on Crown Land
The Onshore Windpower Development on Crown land Policy PL 4.10.04 outlines how new onshore windpower can be identified and developed on Crown land. The policy should be read with the MNR Procedure PL 4.10.04.
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Ontario Building Code
This policy sets out standards and authorization requirements for the construction of new buildings, major alterations and demolitions of existing buildings by purchasers, lessees, licensees, and permitees of the Crown.
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Recreation Camp Site Management
This policy applies to the administration, management and disposition of recreation camp sites for private non-commercial use (i.e. hunt and fish camps and remote cottage sites). While land use permits were used to authorize recreation camp sites in the past, camp tenants with long-term interests may also have the opportunity to be granted alternate tenure options including sale and lease agreements.
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Release and Voidance of Reservations and Conditions in Land Grants
This policy determines how clauses such as reservations (limited right or interest, but not title, reserved for the Crown) and exceptions (a unit of land excluded from a grant and retained by the Crown) can be released or voided. Many restrictions such as reservations and exceptions are obsolete, outdated or no longer are of interest to the Crown.
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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 of Natural Resources’ approach to the disposition of Crown shoreline reserves, road allowances and dedicated roads on Crown land under the Ministry’s jurisdiction.
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Utility Corridors on Public Land
This policy and procedure provides policy 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.
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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.
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Waterpower Site Release - Crown Land
The Waterpower Site Release - Crown Land policy outlines how new waterpower can be identified and developed on Crown land. The policy should be read with MNR Procedure PL 4.10.05 (Waterpower Site Release - Crown Land).
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6.0 Non-Tax Revenue
These policies establish prices, rents and fees for a variety of Public Lands transactions.
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. The policy ensures that the Ministry’s administrative costs for processing transactions and services are recovered.
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Crown Land Rental Policy
This policy sets out rents and fees to be charged for the rental of public lands under the control of MNR. The policy also provides for the phase-in of large rent/fee increases.
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Disposition of Public Land at Less than Market Value
This policy provides direction to Ministry staff on consideration of request to dispose of ungranted public land, at less than market value.
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7.0 Property Acquisition
These policies focus on acquisitions of land for MNR purposes.Forfeiture Acquisitions
This policy applies to land acquired by MNR as a result of forfeiture for the non-payment of Local Roads Board Tax, Mining Land Tax and/or Provincial Land Tax. Forfeited properties are added to the public land base and managed accordingly.
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8.0 Property Management
These policies provide direction for the disposition of acquired and vacant land with buildings.
9.0 Compliance
These policies deal with Public Lands Act compliance and monitoring.
Court Orders for Removal and/or Restoration
Policy PL 9.03.02 provides direction to ensure that court orders and probation orders are sought, when required, where MNR 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.
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Entry onto Private Land
This policy applies to all officers designated under the Public Lands Act who enter private land to inspect or gather evidence for the purposes of the Act. The foundation of this policy is respect for the rights of landowners and their Charter of Rights.
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Post Disposition Compliance Monitoring
This policy applies to the terms and conditions set out in various forms of land use occupational authorities (sale, lease, licence of occupation, land use permit, easement). Land use occupational authority is monitored to ensure that the terms and conditions of agreements are adhered to. Examples of non-compliance include failure to pay rents, failure to pay property taxes, construction or improvements without authorization and unauthorized use of locations.
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Stop Work Orders
This policy describes how and when an officer designated under the Public Lands Act is to issue an order for a person to cease activities that are in violation of the Act. Working without the authorization of a work permit, or not in accordance to a work permit may be considered failing to comply. Officers have the authority to apply a stop work order; however, work being done that complies with a work permit may continue and only the violating work may be ordered to cease.
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10.0 Crown Land Roads
Bridges and Water Crossings
The Environmental Guidelines for Access Roads and Water Crossings provides procedural direction for ensuring minimum disturbance to the natural environmental through environmentally sound design and construction practices for roads and water crossings. This referenced document establishes mandatory standards which must be adhered to by anyone planning, constructing, maintaining or abandoning roads or water crossings on Crown land to ensure a minimum level of environmental protection. It also provides design information regarding good practices and mitigation techniques that may be used to eliminate or reduce potentially negative environmental impacts before they occur.
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Resource Access Roads Geospatial Data - Information Management Plan & Data Management Guide
This document is considered additional information to that contained in the Crown Land Roads Manual.
The Resource Access Roads Geospatial Data - Information Management Plan and Data Management Guide provides direction, information and assistance in understanding the MNR’s resource access roads geospatial data. It includes information on how it is being improved and managed; who has what responsibilities; and what data processes and support models are in place.
This document is intended to provide direction to staff across the MNR’s business and program areas who are involved in creating, maintaining and using resource access roads geospatial data. This document will also be of interest to the MNR’s partners and people or groups with a direct interest in how the MNR manages its resource access roads geospatial data.
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Snowmobile Bridge Design Guidelines
This document provides procedural direction regarding design guidelines for snowmobile bridges as they differ from those open to regular public traffic. It outlines minimum design criteria for snowmobile bridges and provides details about various trail groomers and snowmobiles that may use the trails. This document also highlights the importance of developing a use management strategy for snowmobile bridges as it can help determine the need to elevate the design criteria to allow for regular public travel.
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Water Crossing Inventory Instruction Manual
This document is considered additional information to that contained in the Crown Land Roads Manual. The Water Crossing Inventory Instruction Manual provides procedural direction to the forest industry, MNR and forestry consultant/contractors on data collection and management with respect to water crossing design and condition.
It is important to understand that the FRWCI water crossing inventory is not a detailed stream or fisheries evaluation, nor is it intended to provide a detailed engineering analysis of water crossing infrastructures.
The FRWCI water crossing inventory methodology and products, including the Water Crossing Ranking Tool (WCRT), will be available to all SFL holders and MNR districts upon request.
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Work Permits - Roads, Trails and Water Crossings
This directive outlines the need for a work permit before any undertakings are initiated on Crown land as well as the mandatory conditions that must be included in the permit. In addition to a work permit, this directive establishes the need to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) whenever a bridge is to be constructed on Crown land.
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