I wish to express my…

I wish to express my opposition to the proposed extension of leases of cottages within Rondeau Provincial Park. Very little of southern Ontario has been set aside to preserve the environmental integrity of our province's southern ecosystems. Therefore, parks such as Rondeau are crucial for protecting biodiversity and for protecting wildlife. Cottages are by their very nature inconsistent with the purpose for which parks are been set up. A fundamental principle of Ontario’s Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act is protecting ecological integrity, and any extension of leases would be inconsistent with this legislated requirement.

The previous extension of leases to 2017 was only granted to cottagers on the condition that this extension would be final. The lobbying by the cottagers for yet another extension represents special interest politics of the worst sort. The cottagers have an enormous benefit to gain, and they have worked aggressively to look after their self-interest. For the average citizen in Ontario, there is little at stake individually so naturally the lobbying against the extension has been subdued. However, a great deal is at stake overall for the people of this province, namely, protecting a provincial treasure in the form of Rondeau Provincial Park.

The extension should not be allowed.

[Original Comment ID: 129104]