WE THE NORTH INCLUDES COTTAGERS, FORD TELLS MAYORS
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
MUSKOKA — Much ado about nothing new.
Doug Ford’s teleconference Wednesday with Ontario mayors and municipal officials offered little help or guidance on the cottagers coming-out controversy.
The hyped “heart-to-heart” meeting between the premier and district and regional representatives on how to handle boatloads of seasonal residents into Muskoka — and beyond — “offered no guidelines.”
It appeared more about Ford saying he consulted them.
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano said he “just wanted to put out the message” he has that while cottagers should stay home — they won’t and he gets that.
And he won’t stop them, because the OPP doesn’t mean Ontario Pandemic Police.
Terziano told MuskokaTODAY.com today that Ford wanted them to know he heard where they are coming from and he feels their pain.
She said he “understood if they want to go and check on winter damage” at their cottage and self-isolate.
And while the mayor was left in the queue with an unanswered question, the new mayor of Muskoka’s largest town said she heard pretty much what was expected.
Gravenhurst Mayor Paul Kelly, who was also on the call, said “It really wasn’t much of a conversation.
“It was a few who people were able ask some questions in the time we were with him.
“It was mayors, CAOs, clerks from across the province, so a pretty big gathering.
“It wasn’t really an opportunity to have any really meaningful conversation with 285 people on the call.”
So it wasn’t specific to Muskoka?
“No, it was right across the province.”
How long did it last?
“We were probably just over an hour.”
And did Kelly hear what he wanted?
“I guess what we anticipated to hear, which was basically — he’s repeated that through the media.
“As much as he would prefer people wouldn’t go to the cottage, he’s also recognizing that people have been and they are there and will continue to go there.
“What’s been missing is that there’s been no real guidelines recognizing that people are going to their cottages and I think what he said Wednesday and what we’re saying is that ‘if you you’re choosing to go’ — because there’s still no mandate — and they’re not going to make a ban. They’re not going to make it mandatory.”
Kelly added: “So recognizing that, what is the expectation when people are. And so that was what we were discussing and articulating.
“Which is basically saying the expectation is no different than it is anywhere else. Isolation, no large gatherings, remaining on your own property, social distancing — all those kind of requirements reminding people of the expectations.”
Kelly said the mayor Norfolk expressed specific concerns because they also have “a lot of migrant workers and day-trippers.” And there was talk about a recent large gathering of motorcyclists “in spite of everything.”
The lone ban on cottagers going to the county — placed two weeks ago by its medical officer of health — it was said is hard to enforce.
And it also isn’t endorsed by the highest provincial health officials, who still publicly oppose un-necessary travel outside permanent residences.
So, should cottagers come up and hibernate?
Kelly said that’s Ford’s message and the message Muskoka’s mayors are going with, after discussing the matter before the teleconference.
“We’re saying the thing. … You can’t bury your head in the sand and think they’re not here.
“Because they’re on the lake and I’ve seen lights I don’t see in the winter.
“For sure they’re here and they’ve been here for several weeks.
“This isn’t new news,” he said.
“People are choosing to do what’s in their best interest.”
The mayor said so far COVID-19 hasn’t had big impact on local hospitals.
He said last he heard they were at about only half capacity.
A District of Muskoka release on the meeting was release separately later today, Friday May 8.
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