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Far North Ontario

The Far North of Ontario is a magnificent region and is one of the last, great, primarily undeveloped spaces on our planet.

We are working with Far North First Nation communities, non-aboriginal northern communities, environmental groups and resource industries to permanently protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of the Far North, while allowing for areas of sustainable economic development.

The Far North Planning Initiative

The Far North of Ontario is unique. That's why the province is working in partnership with Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Far North First Nations, and has established a Far North Advisory Council and a Far North Science Advisory Panel, to plan the best ways to protect the Far North region while allowing economic development opportunities that will benefit First Nations and Ontario. Read more ...

TORONTO June 2, 2009 - Reaction to the proposed Far North legislation from Monte Hummel, President Emeritus, World Wildlife Fund; Frank McKay, Council Chair, Windigo First Nations; Chris Hodgson, President, Ontario Mining Association; and Dr. David Pearson, Chair, Science Advisory Panel.

The Far North Act, 2009

An Act With Respect To Land Use Planning and Protection in the Far North

On June 2, 2009, Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield introduced proposed legislation that would permanently protect at least half of the Far North of Ontario in a network of conservation lands and allow for sustainable development of the region’s natural resources.

The proposed Far North Act, 2009 would enable a community-based land use planning process that gives First Nations in the Far North a leadership role in determining areas to be protected. Community-based planning would also identify where sustainable development of natural resources such as forests, minerals and renewable energy may take place. Under the planning process, sustainable development must benefit local First Nations and take into consideration ecological and cultural values.

To support community-based land use planning, the proposed legislation will ensure the creation of a Far North Land Use Strategy that includes mapping of ecological and cultural values, and policy statements on matters of provincial interest.

By protecting at least 225,000 square kilometres – an area three times the size of Lake Superior – the proposed legislation would safeguard habitat for more than 200 sensitive species. Protecting such a vast area would also ensure the boreal landscape continues to fight the effects of global climate change by maintaining its capacity to absorb and store carbon from the air.

During the summer, the Ministry of Natural Resources will be conducting outreach sessions on the proposed legislation across the Far North.

News Release - Protecting the Far North (June 2, 2009) (Cree PDF, Oji-Cree PDF)
Backgrounder - Support For Far North Legislation (June 2, 2009)
Backgrounder - Future Directions For The Far North Of Ontario (June 2, 2009)
Backgrounder - The Far North Act, 2009
About the proposed Far North Act at ontario.ca/environmentalregistry, Registry Number 010-6624.
Bill 191, Far North Act, 2009
Fact Sheet - The Far North of Ontario (Cree PDF, Oji-Cree PDF)
Video - Overview of The Far North of Ontario

This vast and beautiful area is home to 24,000 mainly First Nations people living in 36 communities. Its 450,000 square kilometres provides essential habitat for more than 200 sensitive species including species at risk like polar bears, woodland caribou and wolverine. This unspoiled wilderness includes one of the largest tracts of forest in the world and the third largest wetland in the world.

The Far North is important in the fight against global climate change. The region's immense boreal landscape of forest, peatlands, wetland and tundra absorbs more than 12.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from our air each year.

Protecting the Far North

The Far North of Ontario has local, regional, national and global significance. Ontario is undertaking an ambitious approach to protection that will both conserve the vast Far North Boreal forest, wetlands, tundra and peatlands and contribute to an environmentally sustainable economic future and greater prosperity for the area's First Nations people. Read more...

The Far North & Climate Change

The Far North is one of Ontario's greatest tools for fighting climate change. The wetlands and forests absorb more than 12.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from our air each year. Read more ...