Letter: Bev Shipley MP from L. Williams
Dear Bev Shipley,
I write to you with respect to the total disregard and disturbing, ignorant attitude the government has maintained for what has occurred in East Ipperwash over the past several months. My family has owned beach front property in West Ipperwash for the past 30 years and I have called this idyllic area home for my entire life. Although the current issues (namely the removal of the traffic barriers in Center and East Ipperwash) do not directly affect myself and my family, I do not feel I can turn a blind eye and stay silenced on this issue any longer. Inaction by the police and the government is no longer an option. The people of East Ipperwash have spoken out and the future of this beautiful, ecologically-significant place that they have fought for so many years to keep natural now lies in your hands.
As an environmental studies student, avid beachgoer, sailor and budding naturalist, I think it is positively disgusting that our government has and continues to stand by, idly watching as the First Nation destroys environmentally-sensitive land that was legally deeded to East Ipperwash property owners in the 1800s (see “Setting the Historic Record Straight” by Joan Holmes-Expert Witness for Ipperwash Inquiry). The subsequent destruction of the dune ecosystem, home to countless species of birds, insects and endangered grasses will be swift should the ruin of this land continue to fall on your blind eyes.
No one wants to deal with the tragedy of a child being struck and killed by a car during a beautiful, sun-filled day building sandcastles at the beach. As you may know, water levels in Lake Huron continue to rise and the “road” part of the beach will surely be encroached upon in the coming summer months by the rising waters when families should feel at ease allowing their children to run free on the sand. If you continue to ignore this issue, a tragedy is a very real and serious outcome.
Please help the people of East Ipperwash continue to be model stewards of this fantastic piece of natural Ontario. They are not asking for much. They are not refusing the public or the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation walking access to Center and East Ipperwash Beaches. They simply want the barriers that have shielded the beach for the past 42 years to be returned. Motor vehicles have no place on this special, rare stretch of land. I ask you now as a representative of our people to do whatever you can in your power to restore the barriers and ensure many more happy, sunny and safe summers in Ipperwash to come.
Sincerely, L. Williams
cc: Monte McNaughton, 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.