Regulations under this Act:
O. Reg. 326/94 Crown land camping permit
R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 973 Land use permits
The Act defines the term “public lands” as those designated as Crown lands, school lands and clergy lands. The Public Lands Act outlines the use, planning, management, development, and sale of public lands and forests and the control that the Ministry of Natural Resources has over such lands.
The Minister may establish classes of zones, such as “Open”, “Deferred”, “Closed” or otherwise, and may define the purposes for which each class of zone may be used. Also, the Minister may require all or any area of public land be designated as a “planning unit”; such a designation would then necessitate a land use plan to be prepared for the designated area, which would define the purposes for which the public land, water and natural resources within each zone may be used and managed.
In cases of public land reserves that front on water, a percentage of the land shall be set apart for recreational and/or public access purposes. Specifically, where 25 per cent or more of the lands fronting on a body of water are public lands, at least 25 per cent of the frontage of these lands, and to a depth that the Minister considers appropriate, shall be set apart for recreational and access purposes. Where less than 25 per cent of the frontage of lands fronting on a body of water are public lands, all public lands shall be set apart for recreational and access purposes.
The Act provides that for former public lands that have now either been sold or otherwise disposed of and over which a portage exists, any person travelling on waters connected by the portage has the right to pass over and along the portage with their belongings without the permission of or payment to the owner of the lands. Any person who may obstruct, hinder, delay or interfere with this right of passage is guilty of an offence.