Land Claims negotiators respond to North Frontenac’s concerns

Craig Bakay | Dec 16, 2020

North Frontenac Council was joined for its regular online meeting Friday morning by Doug Carr, chief negotiator for the Algonquins of Ontario (AOO) land claim settlement and Jennifer Griffin, senior negotiator for land matters.

Carr began his presentation by pointing out that as part of the 2016 agreement in principle, 117,500 acres of Crown Land would be transferred to the AOO. He noted that there were some “unique” areas in the proposal, most notably around Sharbot Lake and in North Frontenac, where a new Whiteduck Provincial Park has been proposed.

“We’ve come up with a unique solution for protecting land that acknowledges the provincial government’s concern for public use of land,” he said. “By creating a provincial park, there would be higher protection for the land than if it remained Crown Land.

“And, it wouldn’t be necessary to transfer ownership to the Algonquins.”

Griffin said the total area of the park will be 26,770 acres after 1,668 acres were added and about 4,942 acres on the east side which are subject to existing mining claims under the Mining Act were removed from the consultation process.

“We’ve spoken to folks from nine properties and notification is expected in early 2021,” she said. “The Algonquins will have input to the park management process (and) we don’t believe there are any plans for massive campgrounds.”

Councillor Fred Fowler led off the Council question period by asking if current activities in the area would be allowed to continue.

“Ski trails, hunting and trapping will continue,” she said. “The proposal is that hunting will be allowed subject to current rules (for hunting in provincial parks). “Access to trails will be maintained.”

Dep. Mayor Gerry Martin then continued with a barrage of questions.

“Will the Crown Land stewardship program still be allowed?” Martin said.

“Under the land use permit, yes,” she said.

“Tourist operators regularly send tourists to Crotch and Gull Lake, will that continue?” said Martin.

“There have been no discussions but we’re aware of it,” Griffin said. “We’re happy to have further discussions.”

Of particular concern for North Frontenac Council is the southeast portion of South Shore Road on Gull Lake from which several lanes provide access for residents such as Helen Lane and Jones Lane.

“These roads were constructed and paid for by the property owners that use them about 20 years ago,” said Martin. “Who will maintain them (and) will they be used by park goers?”

“We will be working with the property owners,” said Griffin.

“There are at least four hunting camps that I know of in the area that have been in families for generations,” said Martin. “Will they be allowed to continue.

“Under the Wildlife Conservation Act,” said Griffin.

Coun. John Inglis asked what would happen if they receive input from the Gull Lake residents that they do not like the new boundaries.

“It’s not a fait-accompli,” said Griffin. “We’re only at Step 2 of our process.”

“My concern is that there are eyes on the developed part of the Crown Land,” said Coun. Vern Hermer. “In particular, our Land Use Permit.

“Is that a bargaining chip?”

“The LUP is unique,” Griffin said. “There is only one other in the province.

“The Algonquins are very aware of that too.”

“Will registered trap lines remain status quo?” asked Coun. Wayne Good.

“Yes,” she said.

Mayor Ron Higgins asked if a member of Council (and a staff member) could be part of the ongoing discussions and Carr said they’d consider it.

“One of the concerns the Gull Lake residents have is that the Gull Lake Association would like to have input,” said Higgins. “Will there be a public meeting?”

“If we hadn’t had the pandemic, we’d have had an open house,” Carr said. “What we’d like is for people to read over the material and respond to it — like an open house.”

The deadline for responding has been extended to Jan. 25, 2021, he said.

The following links are the material that Carr was referring to.

Updated information about the provincial lands that are being proposed to be transferred into AOO ownership can be found at: ontario.ca/page/algonquin-land-claim-environmental-evaluation-report.

Information about the recommended Whiteduck Provincial Park (in the area of the Crotch Lake Conservation Reserve) can be found at: ontario.ca/page/algonquin-land-claim-additions-to-ontarios-provincial-park- system; and ontario.ca/page/algonquin-land-claim-draft-environmental-assessment- summary-report.

For questions or to provide comments, please contact the Ontario Information Centre at 1-844-276-9091 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Martin to return as Deputy Mayor.

Gerry Martin was acclaimed as deputy mayor for 2021.

“I didn’t really do much this year, all I really did was chair a couple of meetings, so I’d like to do more,” he said. “I do get a lot of phone calls but I think that’s because they don’t want to talk to the mayor.

“They want me to do it for them.”

Long Service Certificates

Council acknowledged long-time service to the Township with award certificates led by the whopping 40 years from Stan Seitz on the fire department. Firefighters Gary Fleming and Lindy Hay have served 10 years each.

Staff member Chris Stapley was acknowledged for 10 years of service.

Councillors Wayne Good and Fred Perry have each served 15 years while Coun. John Inglis and Gerry Martin have each served 10 years.