Should Ontario Impose Fines for Wildland Fire Safety Violations?

Official title: Regulations to establish a framework for administrative monetary penalties; the rates, terms and conditions for when the ministry summons equipment and operators to support wildland fire emergencies; and changes to the Outdoor Fires Regulation

Closed Regulations & Permits Environment & Climate Justice & Rights Natural Resources
Ontario wants to create a new penalty system for people who break wildland fire safety rules. Right now, violations go through the courts. This proposal would let the ministry issue fines directly. It also sets rates for when the government needs to borrow private equipment during fire emergencies.

Why This Matters

Live in cottage country or near forests? These rules affect you. The new fines could hit anyone who ignores fire bans or burns without permits. Indigenous communities would get clearer rules for ceremonial fires. If you own heavy equipment, the government could summon it during emergencies—and now there'd be set rates for compensation.

What Could Change

The ministry could issue fines directly instead of going to court for fire safety violations. Equipment owners would get standardized rates when their machinery is summoned for emergencies. Slash pile burning rules would be relaxed for forestry operations. Indigenous ceremonial burning would have clearer permit exemptions.

Key Issues

  • Should the ministry be able to issue fines directly instead of going through courts?
  • What rates should equipment owners receive when their machinery is summoned for fire emergencies?
  • Should fire permit requirements be changed for Indigenous ceremonial and cultural burning?
  • Should slash pile burning requirements be relaxed for the forest industry?

How to Participate

  1. Review the Supporting Information document to understand the proposed penalty framework and equipment rates.
  2. Submit your comments to wildlandfire@ontario.ca by the deadline.

Key Documents