Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Government98% confidence

Provincial government ministry responsible for managing Ontario’s forests, fish and wildlife resources, Crown lands and waters, and related outdoor recreation and conservation programs.

Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
ontario.ca

About Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is a provincial government ministry responsible for managing Ontario’s forests, fish and wildlife, Crown lands and waters, and a wide range of outdoor recreation and conservation programs. Through its offices and online services at ontario.ca, the MNRF issues hunting and fishing licences, Outdoors Cards, forestry and Crown land use permits, fire permits in some areas, and various approvals related to land use, aggregates, and resource development. The ministry is headquartered in Peterborough, Ontario, but delivers services across the province through ServiceOntario centres, licensing agents (such as tackle shops and outfitters), and online portals.

A charge from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry on your bank or credit card statement typically relates to an outdoor licensing or permit transaction. Common examples include purchasing or renewing an Outdoors Card, buying hunting or fishing licences or tags, ordering replacement cards, or paying for Crown land use, campsite or access fees, and certain application or processing fees. Charges may also appear for online transactions completed through ontario.ca, for commercial or industrial permits involving Crown resources, or for one-time payments such as map products, data access fees, or educational course or test fees. In some cases, you might see a temporary authorization hold when you update your payment method or start an online application, which usually disappears once the final payment is processed or the transaction is cancelled.

To verify or resolve questions about this charge, first review your recent activities: look for any hunting/fishing licence purchases, Outdoors Card renewals, park or Crown land bookings, or permit applications made by you or a family member using your card. Check your email for receipts or confirmations from ontario.ca or ServiceOntario, and log in to your Ontario hunting/fishing or online services account to view your purchase history and active licences. If you still don’t recognize the charge, contact the ministry or ServiceOntario through the contact options listed on ontario.ca (phone, online form, or in-person centre); have your full name, date of birth, Outdoors Card number (if applicable), and the exact date and amount of the charge ready so they can look up the transaction and advise on next steps, including corrections, refunds, or fraud reporting if necessary.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

  1. MNRF-FISH AND WILDLIFE PETERBOROUGH CA

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of purchases commonly result in a charge from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry?

Most charges relate to outdoor licensing and resource-related permits. This includes purchases or renewals of Outdoors Cards, recreational fishing and hunting licences or tags, Crown land or backcountry access fees, and certain forestry, land use, or commercial resource permits. Some educational course or exam fees and data or mapping products can also be billed through the ministry’s online systems.

What are typical amounts I might see for MNRF charges on my statement?

Amounts vary depending on the product and whether you are a resident or non-resident, but many recreational licence transactions fall roughly between CAD $10 and $150. Smaller amounts often correspond to individual fishing or hunting licence tags or replacement Outdoors Cards, while larger amounts may be for multiple licences, multi-year renewals, or commercial/industrial permits. Checking your online licensing account or emailed receipt will usually show an itemized breakdown of the total you were charged.

Why do I see a pending or temporary charge from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry?

When you pay online through ontario.ca or a related portal, your bank or card issuer may place a temporary authorization hold to confirm that funds are available. This can happen if you start an application, update your payment method, or if the transaction is being verified. Authorization holds normally drop off automatically within a few business days, leaving only the final settled charge (or no charge, if the transaction was not completed).

How can I view receipts and details for my hunting, fishing, or Outdoors Card charges?

Log in to your online licensing account via ontario.ca (for example, through the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service) using your Outdoors Card number or other credentials. From your account dashboard you can usually view your purchase history, print or download licences and tags, and reprint receipts for past transactions. If you purchased in person at a ServiceOntario centre or authorized licence issuer, your paper receipt and licence summary will list the amounts and items included in the charge.

How do I cancel an MNRF-related service, licence, or automatic renewal?

Most hunting and fishing licences and Outdoors Cards are issued for a fixed term and are not automatically renewed unless you explicitly enrolled in a recurring option when available. To stop future renewals where they exist, sign in to your online account via ontario.ca and check your profile or billing settings for any saved payment methods or renewal options, then disable them. For commercial or land-use permits with ongoing billing, contact the ministry office listed on your permit or use the contact information on ontario.ca to discuss cancellation timelines and any notice requirements.

How can I request a correction or refund for an incorrect MNRF charge?

If you believe you were charged the wrong amount, purchased the wrong licence, or were billed twice, gather your receipt, licence number, Outdoors Card number, and the exact date and amount of the charge. Then contact the ministry or ServiceOntario through the channels listed on ontario.ca (phone, online inquiry form, or in person), explain the issue, and provide supporting documents. Refund eligibility depends on the product and whether it has already been used (for example, if a hunting or fishing season has started), so staff will review your situation against current refund policies.

Can someone else’s licence or permit purchase appear on my card as an MNRF charge?

Yes, this can happen if you allowed a family member or friend to use your card to pay for their hunting or fishing licences, Outdoors Card, or other MNRF-related fees, either online or at a ServiceOntario centre or licence issuer. The statement will typically only show a government or ministry descriptor, not the individual’s name. If you’re unsure, ask anyone who may have had access to your card, and then verify the specific transaction details through the ministry or your online account if needed.

How do I contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry about a charge I don’t recognize?

Visit ontario.ca and search for “Natural Resources and Forestry” or “fish and wildlife licensing” to find the appropriate contact page. From there you can access phone numbers for general inquiries and licensing, online contact forms, and information about visiting a ServiceOntario centre. When you reach out, provide your full name, contact information, the last four digits of the card used, and the exact date and amount of the charge so staff can locate and explain the transaction.

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