Should Ontario Simplify Forest Permits and Regulations?

Official title: Natural Resources Regulatory and Permit Reform Initiative: Improving forest legislation, regulations, processes and forest management policy

Open Regulations & Permits Economy & Jobs Natural Resources
Ontario wants to cut red tape for forestry, mining, and energy projects. The province is proposing changes to over a dozen forest-related permits and rules. Some changes would let businesses self-register instead of waiting for government approvals. Others would transfer tree ownership on private land to landowners and repeal an outdated wage protection law.

Why This Matters

Own rural property in Ontario? You might finally get full ownership of trees the Crown has claimed for over a century. Work in forestry, mining, or energy? Faster permits could mean more jobs and less waiting. Live near Crown land? New rules would let you cut up to 10 cubic metres of dead trees for firewood without a permit.

What Could Change

Forest Resource Licences could be renewed through self-registration instead of ministry approval. Private landowners would automatically own all trees on their property. The Forestry Workers Lien for Wages Act would be repealed. Personal use harvesting rules would expand to allow cutting dead trees and hazard trees without authorization.

Key Issues

  • Should businesses be able to self-register for permits instead of waiting for government approval?
  • Should the Crown transfer ownership of reserved trees to private landowners?
  • Should the Forestry Workers Lien for Wages Act be repealed?
  • Should personal use harvesting rules be expanded to allow cutting dead and hazard trees without authorization?
  • What compliance and enforcement tools should be strengthened?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Forest Management Planning Manual, Forest Information Manual, and Scaling Manual to understand current forest management rules.
  2. Submit your feedback through this consultation page or email forest.policy@ontario.ca by the deadline.

Submit Your Input

Comment On Forest Permit Reform Proposals Draft Email
Questions Being Asked (6)
  1. What types and size/scale of projects should qualify for permit-by-rule pathways?
  2. What other laws must be met to qualify for self-registration?
  3. Should notice be provided to Indigenous communities and the public prior to tree removal?
  4. What information should applicants submit through a registry or notification system?
  5. What should the amounts be for Administrative Monetary Penalties and offence fines?
  6. What new compliance tools and court orders would enhance inspections and investigations?

Key Documents