Time to take action

Dear sir:
The provincial government is giving it away. Then they’re going to charge you to use it.
The provincial government is in the process of drafting regulations to go with Bill 101, the amendments to the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act which it passed just before Christmas.
One of their proposals is to allow the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs to take over existing trapper trails, portages, and old logging roads which make up the trails that you have been using for the past 30 years.
They’re going to give OFSC permission to operate and maintain those trails, and charge you exorbitant fees to use them.
There’s nothing in the proposed regulations to require OFSC to undertake environmental impact studies or public consultation. They’re even going to allow OFSC to refuse to issue a trail permit.
The Wilderness Riders, a snowmobile club formed in opposition to the OFSC, is asking the government to be included in the consultation process to ensure all snowmobilers are represented–especially those who are feeling frustrated by the oppressive intimidation tactics of OFSC representatives.
Canadians, as a whole, are a pretty impassive bunch but like any other species, you back us into a corner and we’re going to come out swinging. Are you in the corner yet?
As a group of concerned citizens, the Wilderness Riders is fighting back. This issue is bigger than just snowmobiling. This is a citizens’ rights issue. If the provincial government can give away your land to the OFSC and then allow the OFSC to charge you to use it, what’s to stop other “exclusive clubs” from applying for the same privileges for their members?
What if the government decided that you couldn’t have a boat out on the lake unless you were a member of the “Royal Canadian Yacht Club.” Sounds ridiculous–is it?
What can you do about it? Phone, write, or e-mail your MPP, to the ministers of transportation and tourism, to the premier. And join the Wilderness Riders–start up a chapter in your own community.
Our collective voices are making waves.
Signed,
Penny Todd, Chairman
Wilderness Riders
Keewatin, Ont.