The Crown Land Use Policy Atlas (the Atlas) was developed to bring together land use policies that existed in a variety of planning documents into one central location. The Atlas was launched in 2002 and initially covered central and mid-northern Ontario; this area is known as the ‘Area of the Undertaking’ in provincial resource management. Manitoulin Island and several islands in the north channel of Georgian Bay were also included. With the redevelopment of the Atlas during 2006 and 2007, the coverage did not change. In 2009 some enhancements were made to the Crown Land Use Policy Atlas and theWhitefeather Forest and adjancent areas in the far north were added to the Atlas coverage. The next phase of Atlas development will be to include southern Ontario and then the remainder of northern Ontario.
The Atlas will benefit a broad cross-section of users interested in Crown land use planning and policies, including but not limited to:
See Sources of Mapping Information or Sources of Policy Information.
Approved changes to area-specific land use policy will be posted on the Land Use Amendment Index in the Atlas. These land use changes are in effect from the date of their approval. Amendments will be incorporated into area policy reports or to mapping information with relative frequency. Other information available through the map browser is updated very frequently. As a general timeline, information can be considered current within one month.
The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act does make specific changes to a few protected area land use policies. These will be reflected in the Atlas as management direction for protected areas is developed or revised.
The decision for a protected area designation has been made but the process to formally regulate the area has not been completed. Once approved, the regulation date will be included in the policy report and the ‘recommended’ label will be dropped.
MNR land use decisions for activities in recommended protected areas will be consistent with protected area policies. Activities such as forest harvesting, peat extraction and dispositions for wind power development will be prohibited; however, where there has been prior commitment, MNR will normally complete the transaction.
If there is new provincial direction that affects land use policies, MNR will initiate the amendment process to ensure land use policies align with the new direction.
To print a map from the map browser, select the Print icon on the tool bar. A map of the area you have on the screen will be produced.
The Crown Land Use Policy Atlas was primarily designed for land use planning but it may contain information useful for other purposes. MNR also has other mapping products available.
Ontario Base Maps: a provincial series of color topographical maps which cover most of Ontario.
These maps can be obtained by contacting the MNR Information line at 1-800-667-2000, or visiting the following website: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/mapmenu.html
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation website provides access to map sheets in digital PDF format displaying sections of the official Ontario Road Map.
Through the Natural Resources Canada website, a series of national, international, regional, provincial and territorial printed wall maps produced by the Atlas of Canada can be purchased. The Atlas of Canada offers Toporama, which provides free access to the National Topographic System in an easy-to-use mapping tool.
If you are having problems opening or using the map browser, you can consult the map browser tutorial or contact MNR’s Natural Heritage and Land Use Planning Section.
E-Mail: crownlandusepolicyatlas@ontario.ca
You can obtain copies of individual policy reports by providing the name(s) of the desired policy report(s) to MNR’s Natural Heritage and Land Use Planning Section at the address below:
Ministry of Natural Resources
Natural Heritage and Land Use Planning Section
300 Water Street, 5th Floor, North Tower
P.O. Box 7000
Peterborough, Ontario Canada K9J 8M5
Email address: crownlandusepolicyatlas@ontario.ca
Please visit the About Land Use Policies section for overlay area policies information.
The Ministry of Natural Resources no longer actively markets or sells Crown land for private recreational or residential use.
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. As such, the Ministry's field offices and website no longer list individual, surplus Crown lands for sale.
If you would like to acquire recreational or residential property in Ontario, please contact the local real estate offices in the areas you are interested in or if you have access to the Internet, make use of the Canadian Real Estate Association multiple listing service at http://www.mls.ca/.
Ontario's Crown land provides the opportunity for many outdoor recreational activities including camping. Please follow this link for information about Camping on Crown Land .
Modified: January 31, 2007
