An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined a total of $19,000 for the following public land violations:
Joseph Nimens of Port Severn was found guilty at trial of unlawfully placing floating accommodations on provincial waterways. He was fined $19,000 and ordered by the court to remove the floating accommodations.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that conservation officers conducted an investigation and determined that four floating accommodations had been deposited on public land in the waters of Georgian Bay near the Town of Port Severn between May 28, 2024, and February 21, 2025. The accommodations were owned by Joseph Nimens through his business, 2834277 Ontario Inc., operating under the slogan “Live on the Bay” (LOTB).
During this time, Nimens occasionally moved the floating accommodations, which were observed in six different locations for varying periods ranging from 20 to 99 days. This included the winter months, when the structures froze in place.
Floating accommodations are regulated under the Public Lands Act and cannot be placed or used on public lands covered by water.
Justice of the Peace Cheryl B. McLean heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on February 25, 2026, and April 8, 2026. The decision was issued on May 21, 2026, and sentencing took place on September 2, 2026.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/MNRTips.
