For decades the leaseholders…

For decades the leaseholders knew that their lease was up in 2017. Most of us follow provincial policy and accept government decisions are made for the common good. There is no way anyone can say they were surprised, nor that they weren't consulted on the approved park plan.

In today's world, provincial parks are for all, for the public, not for a select few. So many cottages have no place in an area with so many species-at-risk in an area that is supposed to be protected. Times change, people are moving on from old white men having all the advantages in the name of culture and heritage (that likely usurped others' culture and heritage that they did not care about over 100 years ago). There are a lot of other nice places to own cottages these days. An area of Ontario with such small amounts of Crown land, most of it in provincial parks: this is not the right place.

It's time that these leaseholders accept the decision that was approved decades ago: their leases should end. If another extension or sale does occur, they should be made to pay fair market value for their leases retroactively some years as well as for the remainder of their lease/sale, as not only have they had great privilege of the park being "theirs", but they have been paying next to nothing for their cottages. Neither of these is a fair and equitable use of Crown land, nor is it a fair return for Ontario's taxpayers.

Having said that about sale of land, I seriously doubt that potential new lots would meet many of the provincial requirements for new lots/subdivisions. That, in itself, should say something.

Please think about the purpose of the land, and about who your decision is for.