FAQs

Across Canada, cottage areas either are incorporated or fall under the jurisdiction of a larger municipality or local service district. Manitoba’s current model does not follow either of those practices. The current model creates a number of unique challenges including governance, accountability, service delivery and cost recovery.

The Northern Affairs Act gives the department oversite to provide services.

Cottage areas in Manitoba are known as “areas” (The Northern Affairs Act), an area of land in northern Manitoba that is not within the boundaries of a settlement or community. Northern Manitoba “means all that part of Manitoba north of the northern boundary of Township 21 that is not included in 

(a) a wildlife management area or refuge designated as such under The Wildlife Act;

(b) a provincial forest designated as such under The Forest Act;

(c) a provincial park designated as such under The Provincial Parks Act;

(d) a municipality or local government district; or

(e) any area prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as not being within northern Manitoba for the purposes of this Act.

Section 173(2) outlines the general role and powers of the minister for areas outside communities. 

The Planning Act (Part 8) also empowers Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations to provide services to Northern Manitobans living in cottage areas. 

According to The Northern Affairs Act section 173(3), the Minister of Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations' has powers in areas outside of communities. Which are described as "the part of northern Manitoba that is not within the boundaries of a community, the minister has and may exercise all the powers and functions that an incorporated community and its council may exercise within its boundaries." 

The primary goal is to develop and adopt a plan based on best practices that is fair, equitable and sustainable. Cottage stakeholders will be engaged throughout this process to provide feedback that will help shape and develop policy options.

 Cottage associations, businesses and cottage owners will be engaged throughout the project.

Work towards CAMP has begun and we anticipate completing a proposal to modernize the program over the coming year. If approved, we anticipate starting to implement changes in early 2023.

Anyone who has legal title to a cottage or a business in a recognized cottage area (see list for details) can participate.

The purpose of this engagement page is to ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback.  We want to hear from you as cottage owner/lessee. Additionally, executive members of active cottage associations and cottage area contact person(s) will also have the opportunity to participate and can provide updates to their members and their local area.

Sign up to stay informed on the CAMP EngageMB project page for updates by clicking on the Subscribe button on the project page. 

You can reach out to the project team via email at IRNRCottageAdmin@gov.mb.ca