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Ontario Sheep Farmers Position Statement
Access to Crown Land
Policy Position:
Agricultural expansion in northern Ontario, especially sheep farming, which is well suited to the northern landscape, is a priority of OSF. Access to Crown land is part of a northern expansion strategy that will increase the number of sheep and lambs in Ontario to address the growing market opportunity for lamb in the province. OSF is advocating for the provincial government to prioritize northern Ontario Crown land access for agriculture and improve access through a less onerous application process.
This statement is based on the following points:
- The ability to access Crown land continues to be a limiting factor for producers
- Access to Crown land is one option to increase the provincial sheep flock
Background:
Approximately 77 percent of Ontario’s land mass is made up of Crown land. A majority of Ontario’s Crown land is located in northern Ontario, making up 90 percent of northern Ontario’s land mass. However, access to crown land is an issue that affects the entire province as there is crown land in a majority of OSF’s districts. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRF) oversees Ontario’s Crown land and how it is used, leased or sold. MNRF has a process for how Crown land can be leased for agricultural purposes through land use permits (LUC). Individuals apply to MNRF for parcels of land and MNRF may lease up to 160 acres of land per application. Crown land can be purchased after five years of management under an LUC.
Producers have brought forward concerns about the lengthy application process compared with the application process in other provinces, especially Western Canada. Beef Farmers of Ontario has advocated for years to improve agricultural access to Crown land in Northern Ontario and OSF has been asked to support their advocacy position that access to Crown land in Northern Ontario will help reduce red tape, generate revenue for the provincial government, support economic development, support the next generation of farmers and provide a number of environmental benefits associated with grazing livestock.