Comment
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a sailboat owner. I live very near Georgian Bay and usually spend my weekends, in addition to several weeks on Georgian Bay sailing.
When I anchor I chose areas which may be in the area of cottages however I chose not to be adjacent to those properties as I enjoy the solitude as I imagine the owners of the cottages do.
With that being said over the last 5 to 10 years I have noticed an increase in the number of aggressive cottagers who appear to believe they own the water rights to the bays which many anchor in. Additionally these same cottagers often pose a danger by traveling through anchorages at high speeds, (Go Home Bay, Indian Harbour) to mention two spots.
From my own observations at the marinas and launches the majority of these cottagers are from Toronto and bring a certain 'attitude' to the region.
My concerns in relation to the ammendment are:
1. The 300 meter exclusion zone is defacto, the Toronto elites attempting to go around the fact they do not own the water. In many cases the 300 meter exclusion zones will completely close off protected anchorages.
2. If brought in this will heighten the tension which already exists between boaters and cottagers. (Yes there are inconsiderate individuals on both sides of this issue).
3. Already the Toronto elites use a tax loop hole to 'donate' parcels of unusable land to The Georgian Bay Land Trust effectively closing off sections of uninhabited land which was traditionally used for picnics or leg stretches.
I am vehemently opposed to this ammendment as I truly believe it is an attempt by those near the seat of Ontario Government to create exclusion zones around their properties in conjunction with the land trusts. The entire situation smacks of elitist nepotism.
Submitted March 6, 2023 8:37 PM
Comment on
Proposal to amend Ontario Regulation 161/17 to the Public Lands Act to change the requirements related to floating accommodations
ERO number
019-6590
Comment ID
82843
Commenting on behalf of
Comment status