Ontario Geographic Names Board Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16

Definitions 1. In this Act, “Board” means The Ontario Geographic Names Board; (“Commission”) “Minister” means the Minister of Natural Resources. (“ministre”) R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16, s. 1. Board continued 2. (1) The Ontario Geographic Names Board is continued under the name The Ontario Geographic Names Board in English and Commission de toponymie de l’Ontario in French. Membership of the Board (2) The Board shall be composed of the Surveyor General, a secretary appointed by the Minister, and five other members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Chair (3) The Minister may appoint one of the members of the Board as chair and one as vice-chair. Remuneration, etc. (4) The members of the Board shall receive such remuneration and expenses as the Lieutenant Governor in Council may determine. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16, s. 2. Meetings 3. (1) The Board shall meet at such times and places as the chair appoints and the chair shall appoint a time and place for a meeting on the request of three members. Quorum (2) Four members constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board. Duty of chair (3) Except as provided in subsections (4) and (5), the chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board. Duty of vice-chair (4) In the absence of the chair and subject to subsection (5), the vice-chair shall preside at meetings of the Board. Temporary chair (5) In the absence of the chair and the vice-chair from a meeting, the Board may appoint a member as temporary chair to preside at the meeting. Duties of secretary (6) The secretary shall, (a) keep a record of all proceedings of the Board; (b) conduct the correspondence of the Board; and (c) perform such other duties as the Board may direct. Temporary secretary (7) In the absence of the secretary, the Board may appoint a member to act as temporary secretary. Powers of Board (8) The Board shall, (a) gather, collate and record information respecting names of places and geographical features within Ontario; (b) consult with and advise government ministries and agencies, municipalities, railway companies and other bodies or persons concerned with the selection of place names on the suitability of proposed names for places and geographical features; (c) consider and make recommendations respecting any proposed change in the name of any place or geographical feature already in use that may be duplicated by or be similar to any established name of a place or geographical feature or that for any other reason may be deemed or be represented to be inappropriate to the place or geographical feature to which it is applied; (d) collaborate with the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names respecting the selection of new geographical names, the elimination of alternative or duplicated names, the correct or preferred spelling of established names and such other matters respecting geographical names as may be of concern to the Board or the Committee; (e) supply information regarding geographical names to government ministries and agencies, cartographers, publishers, and any other persons engaged in the preparation of maps or other publications intended for official or public use; and (f) recommend to the Minister for approval the names of geographical features. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16, s. 3. Official names 4. (1) The Minister may approve a name recommended by the Board for a geographical feature. Approved names to be used on maps, etc. (2) A name approved under subsection (1) shall be used by all government ministries and agencies in the preparation of maps and other publications. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16, s. 4. Statutes, etc., not affected 5. No statute, regulation, order, contract, summons, information, writ or other document affecting legal rights shall be deemed to be invalid merely by reason of the use of a name of a geographical feature that has not been approved by the Minister under section 4. R.S.O. 1990, c. O.16, s. 5. ____________________