I am strongly opposed to any…

I am strongly opposed to any extension of the cottage leases in Rondeau Provincial Park. All current leaseholders entered into their leases knowing full well that they expired in 2017. It is entirely disingenuous of them to now suggest that the prospect of actually having to live up to their contractual obligations (i.e. to vacate their leased property in 2017) is somehow unfair to them. They made an agreement when they entered into their existing leases and they have gotten the benefit of their bargain. Now, having taken the full benefit they want to change the terms of the deal. I think it sends a very bad signal to even consider extending the leases. It suggests that the Ontario government does not mean what it says and does not expect people with whom it contracts to live up to their agreements. I have discussed this issue with many people in the Chatham-Kent community and every one of them has told me they feel the same way.

If for some reason the Province still wishes to extend the leases I think the terms presently being proposed are more than fair to the current leaseholders. I know that the leaseholders are already complaining about those terms. In my view that makes them nothing more than unreasonable, selfish complainers who think they do not have to honour their obligations and who want and demand special treatment. Given the complaining, ungrateful response of the current leaseholders I would encourage the Province to retract the offer to extend the leases and to enforce the 2017 termination date. If the Province won't do that then, at a minimum, the terms currently being offered should be made on a "take it or leave it" basis. If the current leaseholders don't want them then their leases will expire in 2017. Under no circumstances should the Province offer them more.

[Original Comment ID: 128664]