CanadaWho owns the shoreline or waterfront adjacent to my property?
In Canada, the Crown (federal or provincial) generally owns the shoreline and bed of navigable waters, including land below the high water mark — even if your property borders the water.
What the Law Says
Canadian property law distinguishes between upland (dry land) ownership and submerged or foreshore land. The Crown holds title to the beds and shores of navigable waters — a principle rooted in common law and affirmed by statute and case law.
Under the common law inherited by Canada, the provincial Crown holds title to the beds and shores of all navigable waters — including lakes, rivers, and tidal areas — unless expressly granted away. This includes land between the high water mark and low water mark (the foreshore), as well as the lake or riverbed itself.
Ownership of waterfront upland (dry land) does not automatically extend to the water’s edge or beyond. The boundary for private land is typically the 'high water mark' — the point where ordinary high tides or seasonal high water levels regularly reach — not the water’s current edge.
Provincial legislation often confirms this. For example, Ontario’s Beds of Navigable Waters Protection Act affirms Crown ownership of lake and river beds, though it does not alter existing private rights acquired before 1894.
What Courts Have Said
The Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that private landowners do not acquire title to the shoreline or bed of navigable waters simply by owning adjacent upland — even after long possession.
The Court held that owners of lands bordering Lake Erie did not acquire title to the land below the high water mark through adverse possession, because the Crown retains ownership of the bed and shores of navigable waters — and adverse possession cannot run against the Crown without clear statutory authority.
What to Do
Confirm your property’s legal boundary — check your survey plan or deed for the defined shoreline boundary (e.g., 'high water mark' or 'mean high water').
Contact your provincial Ministry of Natural Resources or Lands Branch to verify Crown ownership status of the adjacent waterbody and foreshore.
If you plan construction (e.g., dock, retaining wall), apply for required provincial permits — since the Crown controls use of the foreshore and bed.
Do not assume riparian rights include ownership: use rights (e.g., docking, access) may exist but are distinct from title.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.