An upper-tier municipality is made up of 2 or more lower-tier municipalities. Municipal responsibilities set out under the Municipal Act and other Provincial legislation are split between the upper-tier and lower-tier municipalities. A lower-tier municipality forms part of an upper-tier municipality. Municipal responsibilities set out under the Municipal Act and other Provincial legislation are split between the upper-tier and lower-tier municipalities. A single-tier municipality doesn't form part of an upper-tier municipality and assumes all municipal responsibilities set out under the Municipal Act and other Provincial legislation. Territorial districts are geographic areas in northern Ontario. They are described in the Territorial Division Act, and are composed of municipalities, geographic townships and un-surveyed territory.

Note: This data has been replaced by the [Ontario Watershed Boundaries (OWB)](https://geohub.lio.gov.on.ca/datasets/mnrf::ontario-watershed-boundaries-owb). We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis. A watershed, also known as a catchment basin, includes all land that is drained by a watercourse and its tributaries. Watersheds are split into four categories: * primary * secondary * tertiary * quaternary These divisions are based on the federal framework originally known as the Water Resources Index Inventory Filing System. Ontario has 3 primary watersheds: * Great Lakes – St. Lawrence * Southwestern Hudson Bay * Nelson River Secondary watersheds are subdivisions of primary watersheds in Ontario. Most secondary divisions are either large river systems or groupings of small coastal streams. Tertiary watersheds are subdivisions of secondary watersheds in Ontario. Quaternary watersheds are subdivisions of tertiary watersheds. There are more than 1000 quaternary watersheds in Ontario.

This index identifies project areas on provincial highways where aerial photography and photogrammetric mapping has been collected.

Zones were created to manage the potential spread of fish pathogens. This product requires the use of geographic information system (GIS) software.

Mining Leases

The outer boundary of the Province of Ontario. Land identifying the extent of the Province of Ontario for mapping purposes. This product requires the use of geographic information system (GIS) software.

This dataset contains miscellaneous point features including: * mine head frames * cadastral iron bar (a type of survey monument) * historical monuments * horizontal control monuments * mile posts * smoke stacks We are no longer updating this data. It is best suited for historical research and analysis.

A feature is a representation of a real world object, such as a lake, stream, dam or rapid. There are three hydrographic feature classes:  points, lines and polys.   All may impede or be hazardous to waterflow and/or navigation on a watercourse or waterbody. This data shows natural and manmade poly features.  Examples include: * break walls * dams * rapids * shipwrecks [Technical Bulletin: Data migrated to new Ontario Hydro Network (OHN) - Hydrographic Feature Data Classes (PDF)](http://geo2.scholarsportal.info/proxy.html?http:__maps.scholarsportal.info/files/PDFS/public/OGDE/OHN/TB-OHN-PostMigration_101112.pdf)

Ontario is divided into 4 Bait Management Zones (BMZs) that regulate the movement, possession and use of baitfish and leeches: * Southern BMZ * Central BMZ * Northeastern BMZ * Northwestern BMZ In portions of the far north, using or possessing live baitfish is prohibited, but these areas are not considered BMZs. Learn more about [Sustainable bait management in Ontario](https://www.ontario.ca/page/sustainable-bait-management-ontario#section-2).

The data is used to create reference and thematic maps The Special Needs Strategy was launched in February 2014 to improve services for children and youth with special needs and their families. Its three key areas include: * identifying kids' needs earlier and connecting them to the right help sooner * coordinating service planning * making the delivery of rehabilitation services seamless