Table of Contents
Legislation and Authorizations Related to Algonquin Cottage Lots
Ontario Regulation 347/07 under the PPCRA
Most regulations that all park users need to be familiar with are found in this regulation. The following are specific sections that are most relevant for cottagers.
Section 2(1). Damage to Crown Land. This section contains prohibitions against damaging or removing property of the Crown or any natural object or artifact without authorization of the Superintendent. This would include park owned structures, signs or other infrastructure as well as any natural objects.
Section 2(2). This section contains prohibitions for a number of activities that may impact plants, animals, artifacts, archaeological or historical sites or making excavations. A general prohibition for these activities is included unless otherwise authorized by the superintendent. For example, if a tree that overhangs a cottage or other structure is declining in health, and appears to be a hazard, the Superintendent may issue an authorization to cut that tree down. A written authorization must be obtained prior to removing the tree. Another example is for an excavation (digging). Authorization for any excavation (digging) work for new structures would be included in a work permit for that structure. For any other excavation that is required on the cottage lot, the cottager must obtain an authorization in advance of doing the work. The relocation of an existing outhouse is an example where authorization to make an excavation would be required.
See "Obtaining an Authorization" below for information on how to obtain an authorization from the Ministry for various activities under this section.
Section 3. Storing of Wildlife Attractants. When human food, garbage, bird seed or other potential food items are not properly stored, they may attract wildlife including bears or wolves. This often results in conflict between wildlife and park visitors including animals breaking into cottages, tents or campers, or even wildlife exhibiting aggressive behavior in order to obtain food from people. In many cases animals that have been habituated to human sources of food must be destroyed. For this reason, Section 3 prohibits all park users from improperly storing food or garbage or from having food or other attractants available to wildlife. This prohibition includes bird seed and humming bird feeders.
Section 4. Keeping Park Clean. This section is intended to ensure that all park visitors refrain from leaving any form of litter in the park. Litter can be items discarded anywhere in the park but could also include abandonment of items on a cottage lot if it is apparent that they are not being stored for later use. For example, can and bottle dumps or piles of old lumber that were removed from a structure and replaced if they are left to rot and not removed from the park. This same section has a prohibition against possession of cans or bottles (non-burnable food or beverage containers) in an interior camping zone in Algonquin. Cottage lots are specifically exempt from this part of the regulation, but cottagers should keep in mind that the exemption only applies to their cottage lot and the transportation of the cans or bottles directly to their cottage lot from the access point.
Section 5. Fire and Fireworks. This section prohibits all park users from possessing or using fireworks. Fireworks have been known to cause fires when used in forested areas, and thus to protect other park users and infrastructure, these are prohibited anywhere in the park. This section also prohibits anyone from starting a fire except in a fireplace provided by the superintendent or an area designated for that purpose. Cottagers are of course permitted to have a fire pit and have campfires on their cottage lot but should ensure that they are located on the cottage lot, in a properly constructed fire pit.
Section 6. Domestic and Other Animals. This section requires all park users to keep dogs or other domestic animals on a leash at all times. With respect to cottagers, it is reasonable to assume that a dog may be off leash on the cottage lot, but that the cottager must ensure that the animal does not leave the cottage lot without being on a leash. This section further requires that no person shall permit the animal to make excessive noise (incessant barking), disturb other persons, damage Crown property or vegetation, chase or harass wild animals or birds or injure, or attempt to injure a person or other domestic animal. These prohibitions may be enforced on cottage lots.
Section 7. Protection of Park Environment. This section prohibits any park visitor from bringing into the park or possessing within the park, any non-native plant, animal or other living thing. It further restricts anyone from bringing any object into the park that may carry or contain non-native plants or animals (including for example, seeds). This condition is also included in your occupational authority. This section is intended to protect the park from invasive species. Although many non-native species may not spread on their own and damage park values, it is often difficult to know which species may in fact become invasive in the park environment. Further, plants and soil from nurseries often include additional plants or seeds that are not apparent at the time of purchase, but become an issue later.
Section 9. Inappropriate Conduct. This section prohibits all park users from using any discriminatory, harassing, abusive or insulting language or gestures or from making excessive noise or disturbing other park users.
Section 23. Permits for Vehicles. This section requires all park users who bring a vehicle into the park, to have a permit for each and every vehicle. Even vehicles parked on the cottage lot must have and display a valid day use, seasonal or annual park permit.
If you will be leaving a vehicle at an access point over night and not directly on your cottage lot, or you need to travel on roads normally closed to the public, you also need a "Travel Authorization" which identifies your vehicle as belonging to a cottager. The day use, seasonal or annual pass does not normally permit your vehicle to remain in the park overnight or to travel on roads closed to the public, and thus the Travel Authorization ensures that you will not receive a ticket in these instances.
See "Obtaining an Authorization" below for information on how to obtain an authorization from the Ministry for various activities under this section.
Section 31. Power Boats. This section generally prohibits the use of motor boats in provincial parks unless otherwise permitted in the regulation. Within Algonquin Provincial Park, the regulation permits the use of motor boats on some lakes, particularly cottage lakes, with maximum horsepower limits. Exceptions to the horsepower limits apply in some instances for boats that are servicing cottage lots or moving large quantities of building materials. Contact the cottage lot program for more information.
The horsepower limits for cottage lakes are:
On Bonita, Cache, Canoe, Cedar, Kioshkokwi, Lake of Two Rivers, Little Cauchon, Rock, Smoke, Source, Tea and Whitefish Lakes the limit is 20 hp.
On Cauchon, Grand, Joe, Manitou, Little Joe, North Tea, Radiant and Rain the limit is 10 hp.
Section 33. Aircraft. This section prohibits anyone from landing an aircraft in Algonquin Provincial Park. This prohibition include the use of drones. For clarity, this means that no one may use a drone within Algonquin Provincial Park.
Section 36. Occupation of Land. This section prohibits anyone from occupying land in a provincial park without some form of occupational authority. Cottagers are permitted to have structure’s and keep personal items on their cottage lots, however, structures or items off lot would be seen as an occupation of park land and could be a contravention of the regulation.