Regulation - Other
Regulatory and Policy Changes to Private, Non-Commercial Occupation and Use of Land in Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 347/07
Ontario Regulation 319/07
Ontario Regulation 319/07
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Other
Bill or Act:
Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006
Summary of Proposal:
Private recreation camps were established on public lands across Ontario from the 1920s to the 1970s. There is evidence to suggest that some camps were first authorized in the early 1900s. The ministry continues to manage 389 private recreation camps that are authorized under the PPCRA and is proposing regulatory and policy changes to provide more certainty for the continued use of these existing private recreation camps in provincial parks and conservation reserves, while maintaining ecological integrity.
We are proposing regulatory changes to O. Reg. 347/07 and 319/07 under the PPCRA that would describe the circumstances under which the Minister may grant permission for the use and occupation for private, non-commercial purposes related to some existing buildings or structures, existing uses, and occupations of land as further described below.
The proposed regulation would enable the Minister to allow the use and occupation of land in a provincial park or conservation reserve related to:
•existing private recreation camp structures in provincial parks or conservation reserves
•existing structures used to access existing private recreation camps including docks, bridges, and other water crossings
•existing structures used to access privately owned land immediately adjacent to a provincial park or conservation reserve boundary including docks, bridges and other water crossings
Existing private recreation camps include:
•389 camps currently authorized to use and occupy land in provincial parks and conservation reserves
•a small number of camps (less than 10) where authorizations have terminated or expired without renewal since January 1, 2015 but the recreation camp structures remain
Most of these authorizations expired without renewal due to limits on the Minister's authority under the PPCRA to issue new occupational authority for existing private recreation camps.
Existing access structures would include all those built or erected as of January 1, 2021 and that still exist as of the date of application for authorization.
Proposed regulatory amendments would enable the Minister to grant occupational authority to new individuals for existing private recreation camps. This would allow individuals to:
•potentially pass on existing private recreation camp structures to new individuals
•request a new authorization from the Minister to occupy the land
The proposed regulatory amendments would also enable the potential authorization of existing docks, bridges, and water crossings located in provincial parks and conservation reserves and used to access adjacent privately owned land.
The proposed regulatory amendments would not grant the Minister the authority to:
•establish any new private recreation camps or access structures
•create any new private uses of land in provincial parks or conservation reserves
We are proposing additional regulatory amendments to address minor operational and enforcement challenges related to the management of provincial parks and conservation reserves. These include:
•reflecting the new "Commercial day-use vehicle permit" as one of the several types of vehicle permits
•addressing changes to the requirement for displaying of vehicle permits based on the ability for park staff to verify vehicle permits by other means (e.g. verify through a permit holders' license plate)
•addressing health and safety concerns
We are proposing regulatory changes to O. Reg. 347/07 and 319/07 under the PPCRA that would describe the circumstances under which the Minister may grant permission for the use and occupation for private, non-commercial purposes related to some existing buildings or structures, existing uses, and occupations of land as further described below.
The proposed regulation would enable the Minister to allow the use and occupation of land in a provincial park or conservation reserve related to:
•existing private recreation camp structures in provincial parks or conservation reserves
•existing structures used to access existing private recreation camps including docks, bridges, and other water crossings
•existing structures used to access privately owned land immediately adjacent to a provincial park or conservation reserve boundary including docks, bridges and other water crossings
Existing private recreation camps include:
•389 camps currently authorized to use and occupy land in provincial parks and conservation reserves
•a small number of camps (less than 10) where authorizations have terminated or expired without renewal since January 1, 2015 but the recreation camp structures remain
Most of these authorizations expired without renewal due to limits on the Minister's authority under the PPCRA to issue new occupational authority for existing private recreation camps.
Existing access structures would include all those built or erected as of January 1, 2021 and that still exist as of the date of application for authorization.
Proposed regulatory amendments would enable the Minister to grant occupational authority to new individuals for existing private recreation camps. This would allow individuals to:
•potentially pass on existing private recreation camp structures to new individuals
•request a new authorization from the Minister to occupy the land
The proposed regulatory amendments would also enable the potential authorization of existing docks, bridges, and water crossings located in provincial parks and conservation reserves and used to access adjacent privately owned land.
The proposed regulatory amendments would not grant the Minister the authority to:
•establish any new private recreation camps or access structures
•create any new private uses of land in provincial parks or conservation reserves
We are proposing additional regulatory amendments to address minor operational and enforcement challenges related to the management of provincial parks and conservation reserves. These include:
•reflecting the new "Commercial day-use vehicle permit" as one of the several types of vehicle permits
•addressing changes to the requirement for displaying of vehicle permits based on the ability for park staff to verify vehicle permits by other means (e.g. verify through a permit holders' license plate)
•addressing health and safety concerns
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
The proposed regulatory amendments are not anticipated to result in impacts on business of the broader public sector.
Further Information:
Link to Environmental Registry
Proposal Number:
21-MECP016
Posting Date:
June 11, 2021
Comments Due Date:
July 26, 2021