Letter: Bev Shipley MP from J. Potthoff

Posted on Posted in Letter Campaign

Dear  Bev Shipley,

Our family has owned property on centre Ipperwash Beach since 1938.  The recent actions of Tom Bressette of the Chippewas  of Kettle and Stoney Point First Nations  in tearing down the vehicle barriers and signs on our beach is appalling.  It is imperative that you take action to ensure the restoration of these vehicle barriers and signs before May 1, 2015 for ecological, safety, and legal reasons.

The vehicle barriers were put up 40 years ago but the beach has always been open to everyone to walk, play, sunbathe and enjoy our sunsets. Pedestrians do not cause a major problem in destroying the formation of foredunes but vehicle traffic certainly does. Also fuel, oil, and antifreeze emissions seep into the sand and pollute the lake.  No horses on the beach means no pollution from their excrement. As property owners we clean up garbage left behind by beach goers to minimize pollution and we keep phragmitis under control on our properties to preserve our environment.

For the past 40 years, children have been able to run, play games, build sand castles etc, on our section of beach without the danger of being struck by a car.  In most places, we are constantly telling children not to play on the road so why would anyone want to turn our beach into a road.  Children running to the beach from the cottages are often ahead of the parents who are carrying down chairs, coolers, etc. therefore parents cannot grab children to prevent them from being hit by a car.  Prior to the vehicle barricades being erected, there were children hit by cars and many near misses.  Our beach needs to be a safe place for everyone to enjoy.

Our section of Ipperwash Beach was not part of the Treaty of 1827 and there are no aboriginal claims to this land.  We have a Canada Land Act Deed which reads to the waters edge. Therefore the Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point have no right to access our property in any way. If our deed is not legal then no deed in Canada is legal and binding. Nowhere else would strangers driving across or parking on one’s private property be tolerated.  Legal action could be enforced. The vehicle barriers and signs were installed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Municipality of Lambton Shores and have been maintained by our Centre Ipperwash Community Association. The OPP stood by and simply watched as Tom Bressette and other natives bulldozed and tore them down. There seems to be two different sets of laws for natives and everyone else. We are feeling very much discriminated against.  The Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs has told us that we need to “settle disputes and concerns through positive discussions and proactive relationships.  It is only through discussions in an atmosphere of respect and understanding that lasting solutions can be found that will be agreeable to all parties.”  Tom Bressette showed no respect for us and no understanding of the legal status of our property when he destroyed the vehicle barriers and signs.

Please ensure that Centre Ipperwash Beach is ecologically protected and safe from vehicle traffic and property rights are guaranteed. I would appreciate you letting me know what actions you plan to take to ensure the restoration of our vehicle barricades and signs.

Thank you, J Potthoff

cc:  Monte McNaughton, Kathleen Winn, David Zimmer and Bill Mauro

 

Disclaimer: The opinions in this published letter does not necessarily reflect the opinion and/or stance of CICA. Accuracy of facts have not been verified by CICA.