Despite an emergency South Bruce Peninsula Council meeting on December 7th to move ahead immediately on December 8th with the partial demolition of the dunes in Sauble Beach along Lakeshore Blvd., the work was brought to a halt before it began when members of SON rallied at the proposed location in the early morning hours and also due to a court injunction from the environmental law charity EcoJustice.
Several women of SON remained at the site during most of the day to ensure that work did not go ahead.
The Town Council is prepared to cut the dunes back from the roadway to allow for more or safer parking during the summer months when tourism is intense, construct a cement block wall and ‘trim’ the dunes behind the wall to conform with its height. Evidence of survey stakes show that not only will the dunes be affected but many trees and vegetation will also be removed.
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In a release on December 8th, SFN said that “… the land at issue is part of the ongoing land claim by Saugeen First Nation (SFN) #29 and, any undertaking on this portion of Saugeen’s reserve land without consent is deemed unlawful and is trespassing. South Bruce Peninsula’s claim that they hold title to this portion of Saugeen’s reserve is subject to ongoing litigation filed against South Bruce Peninsula jointly by Saugeen First Nation and the Government of Canada. This matter is expected to proceed to trial next year.”
South Bruce Peninsula Mayor Janice Jackson and Council continue to deny any obligation to consult with Saugeen First Nation and Saugeen Ojibway Nation. “Our legal team tells us we have no legal obligation to consult with the Saugeen First Nation on work on the disputed land.”
