I have written this comment…

I have written this comment to object to the Bigwind Park development.

The Ontario Government has stated:

"We are consulting and engaging with Indigenous communities and stakeholders, to integrate their input in this process.”

As a cottage owner on Bigwind lake, neither I or my fellow cottage owners were ever consulted as stakeholders, nor were we ever provided any information or environmental impact studies.

Yet, the government has publicly flaunted in the media that this development will start construction next year. How is that open, transparent, or even fair? It seems like the same process followed for Ontario Place.

With development of 5,000 acres, 250 campsites, and the promise of $16 million from these efforts to the economy, how could this not have a negative impact on the environment and surrounding homes and cottages?

Developers will want many things in exchange for building what the province wants. We can see from the survey being skewed to wish lists and modern conveniences for campers. That translates to more cell towers, more infrastructure development , more businesses to make that promised $16 M for the economy.

This has become a real life Yellowstone of the Duttons (the community) versus corporate and political interests.

Bigwind Lake and Park were named in honor of Chief John Bigwind, a leader of the local Chippewa indigenous community from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. Even the most basic online search will reveal burial sites for these communities and sacred lands.

As for my story, my grandfather was among the first to purchase a lot on Bigwind Lake in the 70s. He had built a small cabin and then, after years of saving up, was able to build a 3-bedroom cottage. Unfortunately, in 1992, he was forced to sell, ending a family dream of great memories.

In 2013, I had found a way to buy the cottage back, and it has stayed in the family ever since. The previous owners had kept the cottage exactly as it was, including keeping my great grandmother’s window curtains that she had sewn while working as a seamstress at Eatons. My children now get to have the same memories that I had.

You will find similar such generational stories with all cottagers on the lake. We collectively do not believe in big motor boats and do what we can to protect this fragile lake and its ecosystem, including walking the roads and paddling the waters to pick up trash recklessly discarded from frowned upon Airbnb visitors.

It is nice that the Minister of the Environment has such fond childhood memories of paddling with his father, but this does not give him the unilateral right to plow over ours with such an aggressive plan that will only upset nature’s delicate balance in the area.

The lakes in Bigwind Park are the most fragile lakes in Muskoka, and your own studies prove it. Just read the water quality testing reports. Increased usage means increased pollution, leaving us with polluted waters and algae blooms.

By suggesting $16M to the economy, you are selling businesses, not nature. Businesses destroy nature.

Transparency, including actually engaging Indigenous communities and stakeholders must take place.

Please take a step back. Being open and transparent only builds consensus. Your actions to date only build division.