In Ontario, creation of a new category of land
use is the successful culmination of a combined COPA and CSPA effort. The
Kawartha Highlands Signature Site will be designated a Recreation Reserve.
Back in 2001, a proposal for a new Park for the Kawartha Highlands Signature
Site, under the then Premier of Ontario Mike Harris’ Living Legacy banner,
threatened traditional seaplane and skiplane use within 2.4 million hectares of
parkland. The proposal sought to limit aircraft access out of proportion with
restrictions on other activities such as boating, hiking and snowmobiling.
Following a series of meetings and a public presentation by COPA member and
Legal Counsel Dan Cornell, on behalf of CSPA and COPA, a decision was made to
create a new class of land use entitled a Recreation Reserve, in which the
continuation of any pre-existing rights of access is guaranteed. All of these
provisions are intended to ensure that this land can continue to provide
important recreation and local benefits. The new legislation would also provide
greater certainty for people who hold existing Crown land leases or land use
permits for facilities such as hunting and fishing camps, or fly-in tourist
establishments.
This successful effort was financed by COPA’s Special Action Fund.
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