Expanded Protected Areas in Ontario

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has announced the expansion of 20 protected areas across Ontario, including 11 provincial parks and 9 conservation reserves, along with the creation of 10 new protected areas made up of 2 provincial parks and 8 conservation reserves.

Most of the Ontario Parks expansions are located in Southern Ontario, with only two northern park expansions included: Esker Lakes Provincial Park near Kirkland Lake and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay.

Hunting is allowed in the nine conservation reserve additions and the eight new conservation reserves, consistent with the rules for the surrounding wildlife management units and in accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (FWCA).

Hunting is currently permitted in portions of Esker Lakes Provincial Park. Corresponding amendments to O. Reg. 663/98: Area Descriptions under the FWCA came into force on March 31, 2026 to allow hunting in the addition to Esker Lakes Provincial Park.