Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry

The Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry is a government ministry of the Canadian province of Ontario that is responsible for Ontario's provincial parks, forests, fisheries, wildlife, mineral aggregates and the Crown lands and waters that make up 87 per cent of the province. Its offices are divided into Northwestern, Northeastern and Southern Ontario regions with the main headquarters in Peterborough, Ontario.[1] The current minister is Greg Rickford.

Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts (French)

The ministry's headquarters at
Robinson Place in Peterborough
Ministry overview
Formed1972
JurisdictionGovernment of Ontario
HeadquartersPeterborough, Ontario
Ministers responsible
  • Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
  • Mike Harris Jr., Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
Websiteontario.ca/natural-resources

In 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry again merged with the Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines to form the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry, while the Ministry of Energy became a separate ministry. Following the 2022 Ontario general election, the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry was split up into three separate ministries. The Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry has been Graydon Smith since the 2022 election. The Minister of Mines is George Pirie, and the Minister of Northern Development is Greg Rockford, the previous minister for the combined of NDMNR&F.[2]

History

The first government office charge with responsibility of crown land management in modern-day Ontario was the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Northern District of North America, created in 1763[3] and initially headed by Samuel Holland. Holland was initially appointed Surveyor General of Quebec, but offered to assume the larger responsibility at no increase in salary.[4] In 1791, Upper and Lower Canada were created via the Constitutional Act 1791. Holland continued to serve as Surveyor General for both, but openly advocated that they should be separate posts.[4]: 14 

In 1792, David William Smith was named by Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe to be acting Surveyor General of Upper Canada (against Holland's advice to appoint William Chewett as his replacement), Smith and was subsequently officially appointed to the position in 1798 and held the office until his resignation in 1804.[4]: 14  The previously overlooked Chewett and Thomas Ridout were appointed to the position jointly in the interim. In 1805, Charles Burton Wyatt was appointed (along with Joseph Bouchette[5]) but was suspended in 1807. Ridout was named to the office in 1807 and held the position until 1829.[4]: 15 

The Office of the Commissioner of Crown Lands for Upper Canada was established in 1827.[6] By the 1840s, however, the crown lands department had been established over which the Commissioner presided, and by 1860, this was renamed the Department of Crown Lands. The primary responsibility of the department was the sale and management of public lands and the granting of land to settlers. Between 1827 and 1867, the responsibilities of the department expanded to include the duties of the Surveyor General (in 1845), as well as those of the Surveyor General of Woods and Forests (in 1852). By 1867, the department had responsibility over mines, fisheries, ordnance lands, colonization roads, and Indian affairs, as well.[7]

In 1867, the Department of Crown Lands for the Province of Canada was replaced with the Department of Crown Lands for Ontario. Ordnance lands, Indian affairs and fisheries were, however, transferred to the federal government in 1867. In 1900, the department also acquired responsibility over immigration and colonization.[8]

In 1905, legislation was passed which renamed the Commissioner of Crown Lands to the Minister of Lands and Mines. With this change, the department was renamed the Department of Lands and Mines. At this time, responsibilities for forestry were transferred to the Department of Agriculture.[9] In 1906, the department was renamed the Department of Lands, Forests and Mines, resuming responsibilities for forestry.[10] It also resumed responsibilities for immigration and colonization between 1916 and 1920.[11]

In 1920, the department was renamed Department of Lands and Forests when a separate Department of Mines was established.[12] Responsibilities for immigration and colonization were also transferred back to the Department of Agriculture.[11]

The department existed until 1972, when it amalgamated with the Department of Mines and Northern Affairs to form the Ministry of Natural Resources.[13] The ministry was responsible for northern affairs until 1977, and for mines until 1985.[14] It was again merged briefly between 1995 and 1997 with Northern Development and Mines to form a single Ministry of Natural Resources, Northern Development and Mines.

In 2014 the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, but responsibilities did not change.[15]

In June 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry once again merged with the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines to form the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry.

After the 2022 Ontario General Election in which the incumbent Progressive Conservatives were re-elected, the Ministry was once again separated, this time into 3 independent ministries; the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Ministry of Northern Development and the Ministry of Mines.

List of ministers (commissioners prior to 1905)
Name Term of office Name Term of office Political party
(Ministry)		 Note
Commissioner of Crown Lands
Stephen RichardsJuly 16, 1867July 25, 1871 Liberal
Conservative
(MacDonald)
Matthew Crooks CameronJuly 25, 1871December 21, 1871
Richard William ScottDecember 21, 1871October 25, 1872 Liberal
(Blake)
October 25, 1872December 4, 1873 Liberal
(Mowat)
Timothy Blair PardeeDecember 4, 1873January 18, 1889Resigned due to poor health, subsequently died on July 21, 1889.
Arthur Sturgis HardyJanuary 18, 1889July 21, 1896
John Morison GibsonJuly 21, 1896October 21, 1899 Liberal
(Hardy)
Elihu DavisOctober 21, 1899November 22, 1904 Liberal
(Ross)
Alexander Grant MacKayNovember 22, 1904February 8, 1905
James Joseph FoyFebruary 8, 1905May 30, 1905 Conservative
(Whitney)
Minister of Lands and Mines
Francis CochraneMay 30, 1905April 27, 1906
Minister of Lands, Forests and Mines
Francis CochraneApril 27, 1906October 12, 1911
William Howard HearstOctober 12, 1911October 2, 1914
October 2, 1914December 22, 1914 Conservative
(Hearst)		 While Premier
Howard FergusonDecember 22, 1914November 14, 1919
Minister of Lands and ForestsMinister of Mines United Farmers
(Drury)
Beniah BowmanNovember 14, 1919July 16, 1923Harry MillsJune 26, 1920July 16, 1923
James W. LyonsJuly 16, 1923March 1, 1926Charles McCreaJuly 16, 1923December 15, 1930 Conservative
(Ferguson)
Howard FergusonMarch 2, 1926October 18, 1926
William FinlaysonOctober 18, 1926December 15, 1930
December 15, 1930July 10, 1934December 15, 1930July 10, 1934 Conservative
(Henry)
Peter HeenanJuly 10, 1934May 27, 1941Paul LeducJuly 10, 1934September 30, 1940 Liberal
(Hepburn)
Robert LaurierOctober 7, 1940October 21, 1942
Norman Otto HipelMay 27, 1941October 21, 1942Hipel was concurrently Provincial Secretary and Registrar (October 27, 1942 – May 18, 1943)
October 21, 1942May 18, 1943October 21, 1942May 18, 1943 Liberal
(Conant)
May 18, 1943August 17, 1943October 21, 1942May 18, 1943 Liberal
(Nixon)
Wesley Gardiner ThompsonAugust 17, 1943November 28, 1946Leslie FrostAugust 17, 1943October 19, 1948 PC
(Drew)
Harold Robinson ScottNovember 28, 1946October 19, 1948
October 19, 1948May 4, 1949October 19, 1948May 4, 1949 PC
(Kennedy)
May 4, 1949June 3, 1952Welland GemmellMay 4, 1949June 3, 1952 PC
(Frost)
Welland GemmellJune 3, 1952June 18, 1954Philip KellyJune 3, 1952July 18, 1957Gemmell died in office
Clare MapledoramJuly 7, 1954July 4, 1958
Wilf SpoonerJuly 18, 1957December 22, 1958
Wilf SpoonerJuly 23, 1958November 8, 1961James Anthony MaloneyDecember 22, 1958October 1, 1961
November 8, 1961October 25, 1962George WardropeNovember 8, 1961November 23, 1967 PC
(Robarts)
Kelso RobertsOctober 25, 1962November 24, 1966
René BrunelleNovember 24, 1966March 1, 1971
René BrunelleNovember 23, 1967February 13, 1968
Allan LawrenceFebruary 13, 1968June 26, 1970
Minister of Mines and Northern Affairs
Allan LawrenceJune 26, 1970March 1, 1971
March 1, 1971February 2, 1972Leo BernierMarch 1, 1971April 2, 1972 PC
(Davis)
Leo BernierFebruary 2, 1972April 7, 1972
Minister of Natural Resources
Leo BernierApril 7, 1972February 3, 1977
Minister of Natural ResourcesMinister of Northern Affairs
Frank MillerFebruary 3, 1977August 18, 1978Leo BernierFebruary 3, 1977June 26, 1985
James AuldAugust 18, 1978April 10, 1981Auld was concurrently Minister of Energy
Alan PopeApril 10, 1981February 8, 1985
Mike HarrisFebruary 8, 1985June 26, 1985 PC
(Miller)		 Harris was concurrently Minister of Energy from May 17, 1985, onward
Vince KerrioJune 26, 1985August 2, 1989René FontaineJune 26, 1985June 26, 1986 Liberal
(Peterson)		 Kerrio was concurrently Minister of Energy until September 29, 1987
Peterson was minister while Premier
Conway was concurrently Government House Leader
René Fontaine held the separate title of Minister of Northern Development from September 29, 1987, onward
McLeod was concurrently Minister of Energy
David PetersonJune 26, 1986September 29, 1987
Sean ConwaySeptember 29, 1987August 2, 1989
Lyn McLeodAugust 2, 1989October 1, 1990Hugh O'NeilAugust 2, 1989October 1, 1990
Bud WildmanOctober 1, 1990February 3, 1993Gilles PouliotOctober 1, 1990July 31, 1991 NDP
(Rae)		 Wildman was concurrently Minister Responsible for Native Affairs
Shelley Martel held the separate title of Minister of Northern Development from October 1, 1990, to July 31, 1991
Shelley MartelJuly 31, 1991October 7, 1994
Howard HamptonFebruary 3, 1993June 26, 1995Hampton was concurrently Minister Responsible for Native Affairs
Gilles PouliotOctober 7, 1994June 26, 1995
Minister of Natural Resources, Northern Development and Mines PC
(Harris)
Chris HodgsonJune 26, 1995October 10, 1997
Minister of Natural ResourcesMinistry of Northern Development and Mines
John SnobelenOctober 10, 1997April 14, 2002Chris HodgsonOctober 10, 1997June 17, 1999Hodgson was concurrently Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet
Tim HudakJune 2, 1999March 8, 2001
Dan NewmanFebruary 8, 2001April 14, 2002
Jerry OuelletteApril 15, 2002October 22, 2003Jim WilsonApril 15, 2002October 22, 2003 PC
(Eves)
David RamsayOctober 23, 2003October 30, 2007Rick BartolucciOctober 23, 2003October 30, 2007 Liberal
(McGuinty)		 Concurrently Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs (June 29, 2005 – June 21, 2007), Minister of Aboriginal Affairs (June 21, 2007 – October 30, 2007)
Donna CansfieldOctober 30, 2007January 18, 2010Michael GravelleOctober 30, 2007October 20, 2011Gravelle was styled as Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry between June 24, 2009, and October 20, 2011
Linda JeffreyJanuary 18, 2010October 20, 2011
Michael GravelleOctober 20, 2011February 11, 2013Rick BartolucciOctober 20, 2011February 11, 2013Bartolucci was concurrently Chair of Cabinet
David OraziettiFebruary 11, 2013June 24, 2014Michael GravelleFebruary 11, 2013June 29, 2018 Liberal
(Wynne)
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry
Bill MauroJune 24, 2014June 13, 2016
Kathryn McGarryJune 13, 2016January 17, 2018
Nathalie Des RosiersJanuary 17, 2018June 29, 2018
Jeff YurekJune 29, 2018November 5, 2018Greg RickfordJune 29, 2018June 18, 2021 PC
(Ford)		 Rickford was styled Minister of Energy, Northern Development and Mines and was concurrently Minister of Indigenous Affairs
John YakabuskiNovember 5, 2018June 18, 2021
Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Greg RickfordJune 18, 2021incumbentConcurrently Minister of Indigenous Affairs

Organization

MNRF is organized into divisions; within each division are branches/regions, sections, and units.[16]

Divisions
  • Regional Operations Division
  • Provincial Services Division
  • Policy Division
  • Corporate Management and Information Division

Responsibilities

The Ministry is responsible for:

  • Fish & Wildlife Management – sustainably managing Ontario's fish and wildlife resources.
  • Land & Waters Management – leading the management of Ontario's Crown lands, water, oil, gas, salt and aggregates resources, including making Crown land available for renewable energy projects.
  • Forest Management – ensuring the sustainable management of Ontario's Crown forests.
  • Ontario Parks – guiding the management of Ontario's parks and protected areas.
  • Forest Fire, Flood and Drought Protection - protecting people, property and communities from related emergencies.[17]
  • Geographic Information – developing and applying geographic information to help manage the province's natural resources.

The ministry also has responsibility for the Office of the Mining & Lands Commissioner and the Niagara Escarpment Commission agencies.[18][19]

Ontario Parks

Ontario Parks protects significant natural and cultural resources in a system of parks and protected areas.

Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services

The Ministry's Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) program coordinates forest fire detection, monitoring, suppression and public information and education services for Ontario. AFFES also provides aviation services for the Ontario government and leads emergency management planning and response for natural hazards such as forest fires, floods, erosion, dam failures, unstable soils and bedrock, droughts and oil and gas emergencies.[20]

The Ministry's entrance into the field of aviation started with hiring Laurentide Air Services to carry out fire patrols however the government soon realized it could save money by carrying out the operations itself and formed the Ontario Provincial Air Service, (O.P.A.S.) in February 1924 with 13 second hand Curtiss HS-2L flying boats that had been originally built for the US Navy. The OPAS was an early pioneer in the use of aircraft for the discovery and extinguishing of forest fires. Initially this involved carrying warnings of fires back to existing fire patrols, to be extinguished by teams that travelled by canoe or overland but soon they began landing firefighters (never more than a few at a time due to the limited carrying capacity of the aircraft available) with a hand-operated water pump near a fire. As a part of this program the OPAS completely rebuilt damaged aircraft before they began building a number of aircraft under license to meet their requirements such as the Buhl Air Sedan, and later provided considerable input on the development of the de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver and de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter and finally were central to the invention of the water bomber. The first water bomber was an OPAS DHC Beaver with a tank mounted on the float designed to dump the water out quickly. This had followed unsuccessful experiments with bags of water.[21]

Current AFFES Airfleet
Retired[24]

Aircraft on display

See also

References
  1. "Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry | Ontario.ca".
  2. "Ministries". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  3. "History of the Office of the Surveyor General - Science and Information Resources Division - Ministry of Natural Resources, Government of Ontario". Mnr.gov.on.ca. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  4. Ballantyne, Dr. Brian (2010). Surveys, Parcels and Tenure on Canada Lands (PDF). Natural Resources Canada. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-100-17563-8.
  5. "Biography – BOUCHETTE, JOSEPH – Volume VII (1836-1850) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". www.biographi.ca.
  6. Alexander Fraser (1903). First Report of the Bureau of Archives for the Province of Ontario. Vol. I. Toronto: L.K. Cameron, King's Printer. pp. 19–25.
  7. Bishop, Olga Bernice (1984). Publications of the Province of Upper Canada and of Great Britain: Relating to Upper Canada, 1791-1840. Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. ISBN 978-0774389310.
  8. Bishop, Olga Bernice (1976). Publications of the Government of Ontario, 1867-1900. Ontario Ministry of Government Services. ISBN 978-1341908729.
  9. "Act to Amend the Act respecting the Executive Council". Chapter 5, Statutes of Ontario of 1905.
  10. "An Act respecting the Department of Lands, Forests and Mines". Chapter 10, Statutes of Ontario of 1906.
  11. MacTaggart, Hazel I (1964). Publications of the Government of Ontario, 1901-1955. Queen's Printer of Ontario.
  12. "Department of Mines Act". Chapter 12, Statutes of Ontario of 1920.
  13. "The Ministry of Natural Resources Act". Chapter 4, Statutes of Ontario of 1972.
  14. Government of Ontario Telephone Directories, 1972-1996
  15. "Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources adds forestry to its title". CBC News. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  16. "Organization Chart for Ministry of Natural Resources - Communications Services Branch - Ontario Government, Ministry of Natural Resources". Mnr.gov.on.ca. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  17. "Forest fire management | ontario.ca". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  18. "History of the Ontario Mining and Lands Commissioner | ontario.ca". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  19. "About - Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC)". escarpment.org/. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  20. "Forest, wildland and outdoor fires | ontario.ca". www.ontario.ca. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  21. West, Bruce. Firebirds. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Queen's Printer, 1974.
  22. "Current Fleet - Aviation and Forest Fire Management - Government of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources". Mnr.gov.on.ca. 5 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  23. Transport Canada (2 July 2013). "Canadian Civil Aircraft Register". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  24. Government of Ontario (2008). "History of the Air Service". Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  25. Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (n.d.). "de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver". Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
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