LANDS SECTION 



SUMMER RESORT LANDS 



Many new procedures have been established to keep pace with increased 

 pubUc interest in outdoor recreation. 



Total planning is now carried out by the Districts leading to the designation 

 of best use for all lands surrounding lakes. Section 2 (a) of The Public Lands Act 

 requires retention of 25 per cent of the shoreline for public access and recreation. 

 The best land is selected for this purpose. Lands suitable for cottage sites are next 

 selected and set aside for future development. 



All remaining Crown Land fronting on the Great Lakes, including islands, 

 has been withdrawn from disposition pending the preparation of detailed Land 

 Use Plans by the Districts affected. These plans will provide for orderly develop- 

 ment of suitable areas and will safeguard the future public needs for access and 

 recreation. 



Where the demand for land is great, sale of summer cottage lots and leasing 

 of commercial sites is by public auction. This method provides an equitable 

 method of disposing of such lands and has been favourably received by the public. 



AGRICULTURAL LAND 



Since the enactment of Section 43B of The Public Lands Act on March 29, 

 1961, procedures established for Crown agricultural lands disposition has shown 

 favourable results. 



The former Sections 44 to 61 of The Public Lands Act provided for free 

 grants of public lands for settlement purposes to actual settlers, former members 

 of the Forces and for sales of such lands to other persons. Departmental require- 

 ments as to an applicant's eligibility to obtain lands were minimal. Soil-testing was 

 not mandatory and purchase price in the case of sales was 50f^ per acre up to 

 1960, when the price was increased to $2.00 an acre. These Sections were repealed 

 when Section 43B was enacted. 



Section 43B requires the appointment of a Public Agricultural Lands Com- 

 mittee by the Minister. Co-ordination with the Department of Agriculture is 

 assured by the appointment of the Assistant Deputy Minister of that Department 

 and the local agricultural representative in the area from which the application 

 is received. 



The duties of the Committee are to recommend to the Minister areas deemed 

 suitable for disposition for agricultural use, to consider applications for such lands 

 and to make recommendations to the Minister with respect to such applications. 



Having considered the recommendations of the Committee, the Minister may 

 designate areas of lands that are suitable for disposition for agricultural use and 

 enter into agreements for sale or other disposition with approved applicants. 



The recommendations of the Committee are based on the suitability of the 

 lands for the intended use, the demonstrated ability of an applicant and the 

 economic feasibility of the proposed operation. Modern farming operations require 

 a substantial capital investment in stock and machinery. 



The results of application of Section 43B during the past year show the public 

 interest to be suitably protected by ensuring that maximum farming utilization of 

 any lands sold under that Section may be expected. 



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