Evolving Name Changes for the MNR
Since the birth of our nation the present Ontario MNRF has undergone some name changes. Following are the timelines as of April 16, 2023.
1867 – 1905 – Commissioner of Crown Lands
1905 -1906 – Ministry of Lands and Mines
1906 – 1919 – Ministry of Lands, Forest and Mines
1919 – 1972 – Ministry of Lands & Forests Note: In 1946 the Division of Fish & Wildlife was created when the Department of Game and Fisheries was absorbed into L&F.
1972-1995 – Ministry of Natural Resources
Algoma New Democrat Bud Wildman was Minister of Natural Resources during Bob Rae’s reign in the early 1990s. I recall that during Algonquin Park’s Centennial celebrations when the Premier and Wildman literally dropped in via helicopter for the official opening and Minister Wildman welcomed everyone to Quetico Provincial Park.
1995-1997 – Ministry of Natural Resources, Northern Development and Mines
1997 – 2014 – Ministry of Natural Resources Note: in 2014 Forestry was added to the MNR.
Donna Cansfield was Minister of Natural Resources from 2007 – 2010 in the provincial Liberal
Government of Dalton McGuinty. Cansfield was one of the last MNR ministers who was readily available to the press. In fact, during a fund raising dinner for the North Hastings Community Fish Hatchery local Limerick Lake Lodge owner George Offshack informed me that during lunch with the minister Cansfield confided in him that McGuinty was about to remove forestry from her ministry in punishment for being so accessible. Shortly thereafter, while I was participating in the local Conservation Officers’ Take a Kid Fishing Day organized by C.O. Gord Holmes, that announcement dominated the news. Some rumours apparently aren’t all smoke.
2014 – 2021 Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
2021 – 2022 Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
Kenora – Rainy River MPP Greg Rickford was the new minister of the ‘megaministry’. The former federal Minister of Natural Resources in the Conservative Harper government was also the Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
2023 – Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry