LAW BRANCH 



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In 1969-70, the first full year In which the 

 new resident angling licence was in effect, 

 603,670 licences were sold. Above: angler 

 with yellow pickerel (walleye) from Lake 

 Simcoe in the Talbot River area. Photo by 

 W. ]. Straight. 



The duties and responsibilities of Law Branch may be sum- 

 marized as follows. 



• Policy: Establishing and reviewing Department policy with 

 respect to legislation, regulations or administration; and 

 integrating Department policies into those of the Govern- 

 ment. 



• Interpretation of statutes and regulations. 



• Advice to branches and field offices on the legal position 

 of the Department in all matters affecting it. 



• Preparation and Processing of agreements; briefs, opinions 

 and memoranda on special subjects; leases; legislation; 

 licences; office consolidations of statutes and regulations; 

 pleadings; recommendations to Council; and regulations 

 under the various statutes administered by the Department. 



• 5erv;ces (miscellaneous): Collection of bad accounts; con- 

 ducting litigation; conveyancing; representing the Depart- 

 ment as Counsel in Provincial Land Tax Appeals and other 

 hearings; settlements of claims and disputes; and title 

 searching. 



• Liaison with federal officials on matters concerning fish- 

 eries; federal canal systems, harbours and lands; and Indian 

 reserves and rights of Indians, particularly regarding hunting 

 and fishing. 



• Patents Office: Maintenance of records of Crown land and 

 transactions respecting, and legal dispositions of Crown 

 lands; advising the public on records; compilation of statis- 

 tics; and preparation and engrossing of documents dispos- 

 ing of Crown land including leases, letters patent and li- 

 cences of occupation. 



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