The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for managing Ontario’s Crown land resources. The Ministry's goal for the Crown Land Management program is:
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| Official Seal used on Crown Land Documents. |
"To contribute to the environmental, social and economic well being of the province by providing for orderly use and sustainable development of Ontario's Crown land."
When managing Crown land, the Ministry considers the following:
Protection of the Natural Environment
Every decision involving Crown land, such as whether to sell a Crown lot or issue a work permit, takes into account its environmental and ecological implications. Approved activities and plans commonly have conditions attached that are specifically designed to protect and preserve the natural environment. The Public Lands Act is also a tool for environmental protection. Dumping and other environmental abuses of Crown land can be controlled using enforcement provisions under the Act.
Preservation of "Title Integrity"
This land management role has two important components. First, the Ministry of Natural Resources must maintain careful records about who has rights to use or occupy Crown land. The Ministry currently uses an automated Land Index System to track over 670,000 title and survey records. Second, when individuals illegally use Crown land, ministry staff may take enforcement action to resolve those situations before public ownership of the land is jeopardized.
Collection of "Fair Return" for the Use of Crown land
Crown land is as valuable as private real estate. Ministry staff collect revenue for the Ontario Government when individuals and companies buy or rent Crown land. Between 1997 and 2001, $60 million were collected by the Ministry's land management program in the form of sales receipts, rents and other fees. Rents and fees are regularly reviewed to ensure the public continues to receive a fair return for the use of their land, from those who use it for private purposes.
Support for Economic and Social Development
The Ministry of Natural Resources is often called on to contribute Crown land or land related expertise to Ontario government initiatives. In some cases, Crown land is made available for projects such as residential or recreational subdivisions, roads, waste dumps, industrial or commercial development sites, public parks, recreational trails, and municipal infrastructure such as hospitals or sewage treatment plants. The availability of Crown land can be a key factor in the success of such undertakings.
Over the past few years, the Ministry has focused its efforts on working with northern Ontario communities, to make Crown land available at market value to support local economic development, rather than directly selling individual Crown land parcels to prospective buyers.
