Reporting an offence on public land

The development and enhancement of public land and free access to it must not be compromised by illegal occupation or misuse.

You cannot use public land permanently without authorization issued by the government or one of its delegates.

The following buildings and structures are considered to be permanent, and their construction requires authorization:

• Camps or shelters
• Cottages
• Other permanent constructions

Without authorization, you will be considered to be an unauthorized occupant. No acquired rights are granted to illegal occupants.

The permanent use of public land without authorization leads to administrative or legal proceedings.

If you believe you have seen an illegal occupation of public land, you can:

Complete the report form (in French only)

All the information provided will remain confidential. You can also contact the delegated RCM for the region in question or contact the Centre de services du territoire public:

The government or the delegated RCM follows up on unauthorized occupations that come to light through a report or verifications carried out in the territory.

Here are the steps when the release process is launched:

1. Notification: A notice of repossession is posted on the illegally erected structure.
2. Voluntary release: The owner of the structure has seven months to vacate the premises and return them to their original condition. After that deadline, if the occupant has not released the premises, the government can take possession of the structure.
3. Dismantling: The government is authorized to remove the structure and return the premises to their original condition.

It is prohibited to throw or store trash on public land, except in places where its storage, processing or elimination is authorized by the government.

If you notice the presence of trash on public land, please contact the Centre de services du territoire public. All information provided will remain confidential. You can also contact the delegated RCM for the region in question.

If you witness an offence related to the use of public land, please contact the Centre de services du territoire public. All information provided will remain confidential.

If your report concerns forestry activities that seem to be illegal (logging without a permit, construction of forestry roads near waterways, etc.), please refer to the Legal offence section.

If your report concerns an activity that seems to harm the environment or contravene environmental protection laws and regulations (illegal dumping of contaminated soil, work carried out in a waterway, dumping of unprocessed wastewater, animal waste drained into a waterway, etc.), please complete the Environmental report form (in French only).

If you witness poaching or any action against wildlife or its habitats, please report it using the SOS Poaching – Wildlife Emergency form or call 1‑800‑463‑2191.