Proposal: Expanding Missinaibi & Woodland Caribou Provincial Parks

MECP is proposing to expand the boundaries of Missinaibi Provincial Park and Woodland Caribou Provincial. This expansion includes the addition of sites in Missinaibi Provincial Park totalling 24,490 ha (~ 60,516 ac), and one site in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park totalling 3,254 ha (8,041 ac).

Hunting is currently permitted in the proposed additions and is proposed to continue, consistent with existing hunting rules for these parks. These requirements are set out in clause 110(b) of Ontario Regulation 665/98 which states that the hunting of game mammals, migratory game birds, or game birds (but not furbearing mammals) may occur beginning the later of the first day of the open season for that mammal or bird or September 15 until the last day of the open season for that mammal or bird. The hunting of Boreal Caribou would continue to be prohibited.

In addition to the proposal to regulate these sites under the PPCRA, a consequential amendment is being proposed to O. Reg. 663/98: Area Descriptions under the FWCA to allow continued hunting in the proposed additions to Woodland Caribou Provincial Park. No regulation amendment is required to provide for continued hunting in the proposed Missinaibi Provincial Park addition. Any comments received in relation to hunting will be considered as part of any proposed changes to regulations under the FWCA.

For more information, please visit the proposal on the Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO). The 45-day comment period ends on April 5, 2026. Written comments can also be sent to: protected.areas@ontario.ca.