AI-assisted research summary: The Act generally requires Minister of Transportation approval before most bridge or other structure work over rivers or streams, with some exemptions.
Application of Act 1 This Act applies to, (a) every river or stream or part thereof where its bed is vested in the Crown in right of Ontario; and (b) every place upon a river or stream where the Crown in right of Ontario, or any board or commission constituted under any Act of the Legislature, is a riparian owner. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12, s. 1. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) CTS 6 FE 25 - 1 Approval of Minister 2 (1) No person, except a municipal corporation or other authority having jurisdiction over highways, shall build, place, construct, rebuild, replace or alter a bridge or other structure over or across any river or stream or part thereof, except with the approval of the Minister of Transportation. 1996, c. 33, s. 18. Same (1.1) A person who builds, places, constructs, rebuilds, replaces or alters a bridge, culvert or causeway in accordance with a work permit or an instrument granted under the Public Lands Act or an approval under the Lakes and Rivers Improvement Act is not required to obtain an approval under subsection (1). 2006, c. 19, Sched. T, s. 1. Same (2) A municipality or other authority having jurisdiction over highways shall not build, place, construct, rebuild, replace or alter any bridge or other structure that forms, or will upon completion form, part of a highway that has been designated as a connecting link under subsection 21 (1) of the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, except with the approval of the Minister of Transportation. 1996, c. 33, s. 18. Conditions of approval (3) The Minister of Transportation may give his or her approval under subsection (1) upon receiving, (a) proof that the plan of the proposed bridge or structure or alterations and a surveyor’s description of the site or proposed site have been deposited in the proper land registry office; (b) proof that notice of the application has been published for three successive weeks in The Ontario Gazette and in two newspapers having a general circulation in the locality where the site or proposed site of the bridge or structure is located; and (c) such other information or documentation as the Minister may require. 1996, c. 33, s. 18. Same (4) The Minister of Transportation may give his or her approval under subsection (2) upon receiving such information or documentation as he or she may require. 1996, c. 33, s. 18. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 33, s. 18 - 01/04/1997 2006, c. 19, Sched. T, s. 1 - 22/06/2006 Regulations 3 The Minister of Transportation may make regulations regarding the building, placing, constructing, rebuilding, replacing, alteration, operation, maintenance and control of bridges and other structures over or across any river, stream or part thereof including the exemption of any commission constituted under any Act of the Legislature or any railway company from any of the provisions of this Act. R.S.O. 1990, c. B.12, s. 3; 1996, c. 33, s. 19. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 33, s. 19 - 01/04/1997 Protection from liability 4 No action or other proceeding for damages shall be instituted against the Crown or an employee of the Ministry of Transportation for loss or damages arising from a defect in the design, building, placing, constructing, rebuilding, replacing or altering of a bridge or other structure which is approved under this Act. 1996, c. 33, s. 20. Section Amendments with date in force (d/m/y) 1996, c. 33, s. 20 - 01/04/1997 ______________