Client reps at every BBP meeting

Dear editor,

Re: Proposed development by Kimvar, Big Bay Point, Innisfil

Addressed to: Premier McGuinty and Minister Garretsen

We represent The Residents of Innisfil Association and The Sandycove Acres Homeowners' Association. Collectively, these groups speak on behalf of hundreds of full time residents of the Town of Innisfil and are the largest ratepayer groups on Big Bay Point. Our clients are parties to the ongoing Big Bay Point Ontario Municipal Board hearing. Having read the April 24th press release by certain "environmental" groups (Environmental defence being one of them), our client asked us to send you this letter immediately.

As residents of Big Bay Point, our client's take a very keen, personal and passionate interest in the environmental heath of the area. Our client's live, work and play in the area and so, arguably, the health of Lake Simcoe is a more personal issue o them than it might be to environmental groups which have a more general concern. Our clients' do not have lobbyists or media specialists, nor do they have the ear of the press. This letter, accordingly, hopes to bring their important perspective to your attention before you make any decision on whether or not to declare a matter of provincial interest under the Planning Act.

In addition to insisting that the development meet stringent environmental standards, our client takes an interest in all aspects of Big Bay Point including the cultural, social and economic health of the area. We imagine that you do the same when making decisions on governance that affect different aspects of Ontarians' lives.

Whereas none of the groups who authorized the press release attended any of the Provincial Facilitator's meetings (nor any of the detailed and lengthy charettes, nor any of the OMB proceedings), representatives of our client attended every meeting. Our clients are very concerned that the press release might cast doubt on the environmental protection afforded by the settlement to date and render useless all of the time and hard work undertaken by our client, the Province, the County of Simcoe, the Town of Innisfil, and the Provincial Facilitators Office. Having been involved in these detailed and lengthy processes, our clients are deeply concerned that a single press release, by groups who chose to not get involved in the process, could have that effect. The regional and local levels of government have protected the public interest expertly and the Province, through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs involvement in the Provincial Facilitator's mediation, has done a remarkable job protecting the environment. Our clients take great comfort from their collective wisdom and involvement.

Ira. T. Kagen