Saturday 18 February 2017

'Canada' is 150 years old

Manicured shorelines,
with nary a dandelion
I'm still having trouble with this 150th birthday
The program will recognize cottages
 that have been in families for
50, 75, 100, or 125 years
with a Legacy Cottage designation.
thing. We live and play on unceded land. It was cared for by First Nations, with little impact on the land, for thousands of years.

First Nations children are still in decrepit schools, lack basic needs, and we have thousands of murdered and missing Indigenous women.

Many cottagers exploit the land and the water. Thankfully, cottager associations are banding together to revitalise exploited waters by putting in fish nesting habitats.

Perhaps, as a condition of getting a plaque, cottage owners must demonstrate that they meet all bylaws, including those involving cottage distance from the shoreline, respect for nature, no use of chemicals, working septic systems, naturalized shorelines.

Otherwise, we dishonour cottagers of the future, and disrespect the unceded land on which these cottages rest. The properties were taken up by the Crown, and given to those who had favour with the monarchy.

Township By-laws cover:

  • How land may be used
    Older cottages, dating from the 60s.
    Grandfathered.
  • Where buildings and other structures can be located
  • The types of buildings that are permitted and how they may be used
  • The lot sizes and dimensions, lot coverage, building heights and setbacks
  • Shoreline buffer areas, landscaping areas, planting strips, parking requirements.
How to be good stewards of a lake
We face Climate Change, zebra mussels, drought, shoreline erosion, invasive species, in cottage country. FOCA publishes a guide to managing shorelines in this era.
Many are doing some good work recovering from cottager exploitation.
Shoreline Policy(PDF)
Drummond/North Elmsley Township

zebra mussels infest local lakes

FOCA Managing Your Shoreline (PDF)
Federation of Ontario Cottagers

5 comments:

DUTA said...

Congratulations to Canada and Canadians!
Canada is considered one of the highest quality countries in the world. May she be considered like that forever!

William Kendall said...

There is still much to do.

If you were thinking of coming in, Jacques Cartier Park has snow sculptures, and hopefully should still be open through Monday. Confederation Park should stay open, depending on what the temps do, but after Monday, they break down the ice sculptures.

Nancy J said...

Land owners are so different to those from years ago. Even in towns, cities , on farms and holiday places. Years ago no power, no electricity, no flush toilet and no chemicals. I agree with the 150 celebration, but also to be sure these people treat the land they live on with respect. It is a privilege to own land, and it will be there when we are gone.

Red said...

You're preaching to the converted. Some of today's sinners would take much more and the hell with who they take it from. Who cares if it's the people who come after us. Am I cynical enough?

Olga said...

I have often wondered about what the native Americans and true indigenous people think about the promise to round up illegal immigrants and ship them somewhere else.