Algonquin Land Claim
Welcome to Ontario's website on the Algonquin land claim.
Here you'll find information on what the claim is all about, including its historical origins. You'll be able to survey a map of the territory in question, review our most frequently asked questions, order publications written about the claim and find out how you can learn even more about it.
In addition to educating the public, this site is also intended to provide a means to exchange information for the people interested in the claim. We welcome your comments.
What is the Algonquin Land Claim about?
The Algonquin claim is based on assertions of Aboriginal rights, which means that these negotiations address matters such as possible rights and title to land and natural resources, including the future exercise of hunting, fishing and gathering rights within the claim area.
Who is involved?
Government of Canada
Government of Ontario
Algonquins of Ontario
Land claim territory
The Algonquin land claim covers a territory of 36,000 square kilometres (8.9 million acres) that fall within the Ontario portion of the Ottawa and Mattawa River watersheds.
The area that is the subject of the Algonquin claim includes most of Algonquin Park as well as CFB Petawawa and the National Capital Region, including Parliament Hill.
Of the area within the claim territory, approximately 59 per cent is privately-held patented land, 21 per cent of the land mass is within Algonquin Park, 16 per cent is land held by Ontario as public lands and by provincial Crown corporations, and four per cent is federal Crown land.
This is the geographically largest and one of the most complex native land claims in Ontario under active negotiation. More than a million people reside and work within the claim territory.
What is Ontario's role?
To represent the broad provincial interests as well as the interests of non-Algonquin people who may be affected by the settlement agreement.
What are the elements of a possible claim settlement?
They may include economic development initiatives, land, financial compensation, defined resource harvesting rights covering fishing, hunting, trapping and gathering, and related cultural matters.
What will the settlement look like?
The final settlement is expected to take the form of a modern-day treaty which will provide certainty of legal title to lands in the region and will give legal force to a lasting and comprehensive settlement of all outstanding issues related to this Aboriginal claim.
Recent Developments
The Government of Ontario has made a Declaration Order pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act (EA Act) which improves the environmental review process that would otherwise apply to the projects and activities that will be considered for inclusion in the Algonquin Land Claim Settlement Agreement.
The Declaration Order was requested by the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and developed in cooperation with the provincial ministries and agencies (the proponents) that have EA Act obligations that might be invoked by elements of a proposed land claim settlement: the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transportation, the Ontario Realty Corporation (PIR), and the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines.
The purpose of the Declaration Order is to provide a single, consistent approach for all of the proponent ministries to follow for any undertakings resulting from the proposed settlement of the Algonquin land claim which would be subject to the EA Act.
The consolidated process outlined in the Declaration Order will allow the proponent ministries and agencies to more effectively meet the objective of Ontario's EA Act in an efficient manner through a comprehensive, transparent and co-ordinated assessment process. It includes designated screening processes to evaluate potential environmental effects, as well as requirements to engage in public, agency and Aboriginal consultation.
The environmental review process created by the Declaration Order is expected to be engaged once the three negotiating parties reach an Agreement-In-Principle, or previous to that in the case of any interim arrangements between the Crown and the Algonquins which are intended to be incorporated into or superceded by the Algonquin land claim settlement agreement.
It will apply only to projects or activities related to the land claim settlement. All other activities in the land claim territory that are subject to normal EA Act requirements will follow the regular processes of the appropriate ministry or agency.
During the development and review of the Declaration Order Request, consultations were conducted first by the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and then by the Ministry of the Environment. All comments received were considered prior to the approval of the Order.
For those who participated, thank you for your interest in and comments on the Order.
The Declaration Order was approved by Order in Council on August 22, 2007 (download Declaration Order, PDF, 913 KB)
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Ontario Information Centre on the Algonquin Land Claim.
