IT’S IN OUR NATURE:

A Shared Vision for Parks and Protected Areas Legislation

The Ontario government is committed to the permanent protection and ecological integrity of the province’s unique system of parks and protected areas.

For the first time in 50 years, the government will work with Ontarians to review legislation for Ontario’s protected areas – our provincial parks, conservation reserves and wilderness areas.

For more than a century, Ontario’s parks and protected areas have preserved significant natural environments for future generations, while contributing to tourism and providing recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Why review parks legislation now?

The last comprehensive review of the Provincial Parks Act took place in 1954, when there were only eight provincial parks. Ontario’s network of protected areas has grown dramatically since then to 316 provincial parks, 249 conservation reserves and 10 wilderness areas. Public expectations about protected areas and how they should be managed, the interests of stakeholders and the science of environmental protection have all changed significantly over time.

Which laws will be reviewed?

The Acts governing parks, conservation reserves and wilderness areas will be part of the review. These include the Provincial Parks Act, the Conservation Reserves Regulation under the Public Lands Act, and the Wilderness Areas Act.

How will the Ontario government work with the public?

Through the review, the government will work with Ontarians to update protected areas legislation and strengthen the protection of our protected areas system through:

• A discussion document, outlining key legislative proposals, available for review and comment electronically through the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Parks websites.
• The opportunity for people to e-mail or mail in comments and suggestions.
• Meetings with key stakeholders.
• Meetings with Provincial Treaty Organizations and inviting input from Aboriginal communities.
• A series of public open houses across Ontario in Timmins, North Bay, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Huntsville, Ottawa, London and Toronto.

How can members of the public make their views known?

The Ministry of Natural Resources has developed a discussion paper and a questionnaire which explain the key legislative proposals and invite comments until November 8, 2004.  An online version of the questionnaire is available and can be easily accessed by following links at www.OntarioParks.com or www.mnr.gov.on.ca, or by visiting the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry at http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/env_reg/ebr/english/ and entering Registry Number AB04E6001.

The questionnaire will also be available at open houses being held in nine communities across Ontario.  People may also request a copy of the discussion paper by sending a request to: 

Protected Areas Legislation Review
Ministry of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7000
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 8M5

What role will the Ontario Parks board of directors play in the review of protected areas legislation?

The Ontario Parks board of directors is a public advisory committee established by the Minister of Natural Resources.  The board provides advice to the minister on parks and protected areas topics.

The board consists of members that represent a variety of interests and backgrounds, such as public administration, education, environmental advocacy, tourism, municipal government, law and business.  All Ontario’s regions are represented on the board. 

For the protected areas legislation review, the board will:

• review the legislative proposals;
• review input received through consultation;
• meet with stakeholders upon request; and
• provide written recommendations to the Minister of Natural Resources.

Current board members include:

• Ron Vrancart, Chair (Toronto)
• Dave Edgar (Sault Ste. Marie)
• Stewart Elgie (Ottawa)
• Jennifer East (Killarney)
• Lynn Arnold Cox (Pickle Lake)
• Tannis Drysdale (Fort Frances)
• Dwayne Nashkawa (North Bay)
• Sylvia Barnard (Sudbury)
• Bill Calvert (Huntsville)
• Ric Symmes (Orillia)
• Lorraine Brown (Leith)
• David Earthy (Toronto)
• Gerald Killan (London)

Contact:                                                                                  

Steve Payne                            
Communications Services Branch
(416) 314-2103