PAY ATTENTION TO TOMORROWS COUNCIL MEETING!

One of the items in a special council meeting this week is related to property rights.

Recently, in Social Media, there are many “truths” being presented in relation to these issues. I’m hoping by Friday there may be more clarity. Regardless of what we are told, recognize that any actions taken by our municipality may eventually spill over into EVERY corner of our town. Sure, we will be told not to worry because our beaches are protected because they are a Provincial Park. But bear in mind… our Council has approached the Province to change that!

So, here is my two cents regarding historical “research” and the “TRUTHS” we will be expected to trust. There are a few factors that I would hope even my most staunch critics would pay attention to.

I do not own waterfront property, but I have a keen interest in factors surrounding the issue of “ownership” of these lands. Here is what I have discovered in my limited research. First and foremost, I think it is important to recognize that the author of any research you come across when searching for your truth, often has a pre-determined bias.

For instance, someone may love walking a beach unobstructed, so as they seek documents to support their right to do that, they would happily pull documents that appear to support that right. Does it mean those are the only documents that exist? Not necessarily. In fact, I suspect that in many cases, property owners that desire privacy and restrictions to their property will do the same research as them and instead focus their sharing on documents that support their desired outcome.

What is needed is a truly unbiased assessment with COMPLETE research. But, how do we know when complete research is being presented? THAT is actually the golden question.

I recently met a man with extensive background in searching land titles, deeds, surveys, etc. I found it mesmerizing listening to the history of conveyances and the various transfers of property rights that he described to me. When you listen with an open mind, you learn a lot.

This gentleman had the drive and the ability to successfully reach out to a lawyer retained by the Town of Wasaga Beach to aid in their investigation into property history of beachfront lands. He was apparently able to speak on the phone with this lawyer. I’m told he asked specifics about the depth of the lawyers research. Now it is important to acknowledge that this is only the version of events I have heard from him, but he claimed that the lawyer he spoke with was not able to fully investigate the land ownership issues as far back as he had, because he was only paid to do a certain amount of research. (Sounds about right)

On one hand, you have an individual who has raised very valid concerns, backed up by documents that pre-date some deeds that are being held as being legal today. Are we going to be shown this research in the coming municipal report?

On the other hand, you have someone with the title “lawyer” retained by a municipality, but possibly limited in the scope of his/her investigation. Are we going to be shown this research in the coming municipal report?

To the public, the towns lawyers findings, or any municipal reports based on his/her findings may be their “truth”. But, should we discount the findings of the individual who may have dug deeper? We may NEVER learn the answers to those deeper questions. Why? His research was not solicited by the town.

I have met waterfront property owners and property owners who live just across the road from the beach and hundreds of “backlot” owners who enjoy use of the beach as an integral part of their daily life.

Regardless of conveyances, deeds, etc., it appears to me, there are two types of people in those groups. Those who want to enjoy the beach and a small number who want to turn their slice private.

So, it sounds like Thursday (tomorrow) our Municipality may be seeking a “vesting order” to act on some property rights. Of course we as taxpayers are stuck guessing WHAT that order refers to. Even tomorrow, their meeting will be behind closed doors. They may disclose more when they emerge from private, but we KNOW it has to do with Allenwood Beach Property based on the Agenda listing.

I have NO DOUBT that we will be told, (and the usual support network will be mobilized to back them up) that whatever they decide is based on the most current research.

But… here is my big caution: I am hoping that whatever actions are being undertaken by the Municipality of Wasaga Beach truly reflect the best interests of ALL tax-payers, not simply the rights of any individuals with beachfront “claims”.

In the end, I agree with the Provincial actions in previous years to take control of our beaches for public access. When I research the various issues related to this, I remain acutely aware that authors of “research” I am reading may not agree with that philosophy.

In many cases, “articles” I encounter on the internet are written by private property owners protecting what they see as their rights. In these articles, they will often refer to a single line or paragraph from a court order or a ruling that appears to back up their desired outcome, but they usually don’t include entire documents for proper context.

If I were in a position of power, I would be asking the Province of Ontario to do a complete study of ownership/ access issues. If there were any irregularities found in land claims, correct them! Then step in like they did in creating the Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and do whatever it takes to preserve (or re-gain) public access to the beaches of our Great Lakes… forever.