Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures

The Lands Branch's Land Application Review Committee (LARC) reviews applications for Crown land permits, leases, sales, licenses of occupation, easements, etc. and provides a decision on the application. The review process verifies that the proposed use of Crown land has been thoroughly reviewed, considering the needs of all relevant government departments and agencies. Direction is provided to the Real Estate Services Branch who provide the administrative services associated with Crown land dispositions.

The Government of Manitoba recognizes it has a duty to consult in a meaningful way with Indigenous communities when any proposed provincial law, regulation, decision or action may infringe upon or adversely affect the exercise of a treaty or Aboriginal right of that community. The LARC ensures Crown consultation with Indigenous peoples related to Crown land proposals is undertaken in accordance with the provincial policies and guidelines where there is known potential for infringements on the exercise of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.

Since the federal government formally transferred natural resources to Manitoba in 1930 under the Natural Resources Transfer Act, the transfer of administration and control of land between the Crowns has continued. Manitoba’s Federal Land Programs include transactions with the Department of National Defense, Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbours, Transport Canada, Public Works, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and Parks Canada.

Land planning is an essential management component to ensure the sustainable use and allocation of lands administered under the Crown Lands Act, with a focus on achieving healthy landscapes and sustainable communities.

Crown land planning in an interactive and proactive process for making management decisions and policy about the use and development of Crown land and related resources. The branch employs the principles of land use planning which include long-term vision, evidence-based decision-making, incorporates local and traditional knowledge, public interests, stakeholder investments, and continues to adopt technology advancements, including geospatial referencing.

Planning serves to identify and reserve locations for conservation, outdoor recreation, cultural and heritage, wildlife, water management, infrastructure, resource use and economic development.

The management and planning of Crown land is vital to the provincial economy, intrinsic to Indigenous rights, balancing agriculture, and resource development, while recognizing at the community level, socio-economic factors, and emerging threats and risks due to environmental conditions.

East Side Traditional Lands Planning

The Lands Branch administers planning area designations and land management plans proposed by Indigenous Nations for approval by the Government Manitoba under The East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act. The section currently works in partnership with four Indigenous Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg to realize strategic land use direction for more than 2 million hectares (5 million acres) of provincial Crown land.

The Lands Branch coordinates the interdepartmental review of proposed planning area designations and plan approvals, participates in the department's review of Crown land and resource use applications on the east side of Lake Winnipeg and represents the department on planning councils, and management boards.

To learn more, visit the webpage Summary of the East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act.

The Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) unit is responsible for the Crown land clearance and transfer processes of Crown land and interests in accordance with the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement. Geographic Information Systems is used to identify land selection locations, produce shapefiles for distribution to other departments and agencies. The branch maintains detailed and effective record keeping, status tracking and issue resolution systems, procedures and produces reports for Manitoba, Canada, and Indigenous Nations.

The unit is also responsible for various non-TLE agreements and programs involving Indigenous Nations and Indigenous and Northern Communities. These include the Northern Flood Agreement, Grand Rapids Forebay Agreements, land exchanges and other requests from Canada and legal counsel. Program staff ensure implementation is carried out in accordance with the respective land settlement agreements and relevant policies and legislation.