Elliot Lake man fined $1,500 for exceeding public-land camping limit

Elliot Lake resident Raymond Rheaume was fined $1,500 for leaving a camping trailer on public land north of the city beyond the 21-day limit, according to Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources. He also received a two-year probation order barring him from camping on Ontario public lands except those associated with his mining claim.

Canadian residents may camp free of charge on Ontario public lands for up to 21 days at a single site within a calendar year, the ministry said. After that limit, they must vacate the site and move their camping equipment.

Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Aug. 17, 2026. Rheaume was convicted of unlawfully occupying public lands for more than the permitted 21 days.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that conservation officers investigated Rheaume’s campsite near the Little White River in July 2025. Their investigation determined that he had left his trailer there from March 2024 to July 2025.

Rheaume claimed that his status as a prospector entitled him to occupy the campsite in connection with mineral exploration on his mining claim, the ministry reported.

Further investigation found that his registered claim was more than two kilometres from the campsite. The ministry said he had no right under the Mining Act to occupy that site.

Mining claim holders may occupy public lands within their claim area for lawful mineral exploration, in accordance with the Mining Act and Public Lands Act, according to the ministry.