Order in Council 1214/2020

On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario, orders that:

Whereas the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (“Minister”) wishes to continue an advisory committee under section 23 of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, previously established under section 13 of the Ministry of Natural Resources Act and under section 6 of the Provincial Parks Act (repealed);

And whereas it is desirable to maintain an advisory committee to provide advice to the Minister about planning, managing, and developing provincial parks and conservation reserves in Ontario;

And whereas the Government of Ontario wishes to update the mandate and composition of the advisory committee to better serve this purpose and continue the advisory committee on an ongoing basis;

And whereas Order in Council O.C. 1317/97 dated June 18, 1997 establishing the advisory committee known as the Ontario Parks Board of Directors (“Board”) is hereby revoked;

Therefore pursuant to section 23 of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, the advisory committee is continued as follows:

Advisory Committee Continued

1. The Board is hereby continued in accordance with this Order as an advisory committee, accountable to the Minister, effective the date of this Order in Council.
2. For greater certainty, members appointed to the previously established Ontario Parks Board of Directors will continue to be members of the Board. 

Mandate

3. The function of the Board is to provide advice to the Minister about planning, managing, and developing provincial parks and conservation reserves in Ontario. Areas that the Board may be asked to provide advice about include, but are not limited to:
   • Provision of sustainable recreation opportunities balanced with maintenance of ecological integrity in provincial parks and conservation reserves.
   • Increased recreational opportunities to promote provincial parks and increased visitation.
   • Opportunities to expand access to provincial parks throughout the province.
   • Engagement and increased public awareness of the Ontario Parks system.
   • Engagement with public, partners and interest groups for growing, planning and developing provincial parks and conservation reserves.
   • Proposed policy direction and overall strategy for Ontario Parks.

Terms of Reference

4. The Minister may, subject to this Order, fix the Terms of Reference and procedures for the Board, and may amend them from time to time. The Terms of Reference and any procedures will remain in effect until they are revised, replaced, or revoked.
5. For greater certainty, further approval from the Lieutenant Governor in Council is not required for the Minister to fix or amend the Terms of Reference and any procedures.

Appointments to the Board

6. The Board shall be composed of up to fifteen (15) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, one of which shall be designated as the Chair and one of which may be designated as Vice-Chair.
7. The members of the Board, including the Chair, shall serve at the Lieutenant Governor in Council’s pleasure for a term not exceeding three years, and may be reappointed for further term or terms of up to three years each.

Remuneration and Expenses

8. The members of the Board, including the Chair, shall not be paid any remuneration but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred while discharging their duties in accordance with the Management Board of Cabinet Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive.