The proposed settlement of the claim by the Wiikwemkoong for compensation for the loss of Fitzwilliam Island, their traditional land, is badly flawed and will result in “very significant and adverse ecological and social impacts on the current users of this area”. This is the conclusion reached by John McMullen, past president of the Georgian Bay Association (of which GLSKA is a corporate member). The proposed settlement, as set out in the Draft Environmental Study Report would see a cash payment plus all of Philip Edward Island and hundreds of other smaller islands westward to the French River area given to the Wiikwemkoong. The islands involved are currently Crown Lands, federally owned but managed in trust for the public by the province of Ontario. McMullen’s analysis of the proposal points out that the Report does not follow the province’s own guidelines for such studies, fails to properly address future uses and development of the lands and makes no attempt to require any protection of access rights that would allow the continuation of use by kayakers, canoeists, campers and other recreational users. The Report also ignores the province’s own long-established policy that Philip Edward Island and the surrounding islands should be designated as a park.
The analysis identifies many other serious problems and deficiencies with the Report and encourages anyone interested in the future of one of the few remaining almost-pristine natural areas accessible by the larger population centres of Ontario to write to the government ministers involved. GLSKA has already called for our members to express their concerns: for more details and suggestions re the actions you can take, see John McMullen’s analysis – it’s short (only one page!).