SCOI Continues to Support SFN’s State of Emergency
A number of cottage owners have correctly pointed out that cottagers in other municipalities are only being asked to stay away from their cottages. There is nothing that legally requires them to stay away. However, this request to stay home comes from the Premier, the Medical Officers of Health for three levels of government and for us, from the Saugeen First Nation Chief and Council. The Saugeen First Nation, being a Federal jurisdiction, has made it mandatory that we stay away. But regardless of whether we are asked or told to stay home, the expert advice is the same – stay home.
With more extensive testing for Covid19 beyond those who exhibit symptoms, it is becoming evident that those testing positive for the virus but who are not showing symptoms can be as high as 40%. That is alot of people who do not think they have the virus and whose behaviour (like insisting they should be able to go to the cottage) will contribute to spread of the virus. Of course this will only make it longer before we all get to go back.
Yesterday we received an e-mail from a cottage owner who had made a”quick” trip to the cottage to pick up bicycles. She said they were there for only 15 minutes. As they were leaving, Cancom stopped them and gave them a ticket for $500. She was complaining that this was unfair. But what if she or her husband are asymptomatic carriers of Covid 19 and don’t even know it? Did the two Band members who are CanCom officers get infected when they gave out the ticket? What if the winter patroller came along shortly after and contracted the virus because it is his job to check the doors every time he visits their cottage?
We have had quite a few cottage owners say that if they went to their cottage, they would take everything they needed with them and quarantine for 14 days. So how long would it be before they needed something from the grocery store or the pharmacy? Would they think to call the winter patrol to tell him to stay away? Likely not. There is really no way you can go to your cottage and not put others at risk.
From the beginning, SCOI has been supportive of the actions taken by the Band to protect the SFN community. SCOI did advocate for cottagers returning to Canada who do not have another Canadian residence. To their credit, Band Council has allowed these people to return to their cottages. However, SCOI has not and will not advocate for cottage owners to be able to go to their cottages when such action is contrary to the formal advice we are getting from expert authority and when it would not be in the best interest of the SFN community.
Rob McLaughlin
SCOI secretary/treasurer
Thank you for this very clear directive. Given the fact that the globe is under a pandemic unseen at this level since the early 1900’s, it is very important that everyone follow the advice of our federal, provincial and local community advice. For those of us lucky enough to have leased land on the SFN, we should be willing to abide by their immediate concerns until the situation is under control!
Thank you for the update. However, it is possible to put into place requirements for any cottagers coming up that could include required to stay on their property, use grocery and drugstore delivery services and not be a threat if any kind to anyone anymore than we are in lockdown at our homes
I think the association should be lobbying on behalf of the wishes of the cottagers
What are the restrictions on the cottagers that are there? It only takes one person but if 100 people are in compliance that’s no more risk than those alreFy there
thanks for your continued updates…
it’s pretty simple for all, don’t be selfish – stay home
(we’re all antsy and anxious to get to the cottage – hopefully, it won’t be too much longer)
Could you kindly confirm when lease payments are due? Just heard through the grapevine they have been extended until June 1st?
Carla,
Lease payments are due May 1, 2020. Service fees were deferred 60 days and are now due on June 1, 2020.
I submit the following for consideration:
Could the Band adopt the same protocol that Mayor Jackson of South Bruce implemented.Namely, if you own your cottage and have paid your taxes (lease) you can reside there. However, you must follow the guidelines re social distancing, no visits from friends, not allowed on beach, and NO RENTERS. If you break the guidelines you are subject to a fine. This would be a more reasonable approach.
Secondly, the fine imposed on the person retrieving two bicycles seems to me to be too excessive and punitive. Is this good public relations?If she infringed on the guidelines enunciated above then I understand. In this case, the individual could have been escorted out of the area with a warning.
I would hope that by the end of May some appropriate accommodation can be reached between the cottagers and the Band.
Daniel,
As the Province moves to slowly lift restrictions and the MOH and the Band want to do likewise, they may very well choose to adopt some of the things that South Bruce is doing.
As for the fine, it would appear to have gotten the attention of cottage owners who otherwise would have disregarded the Band’s directive. This is a pandemic. It is not about good public relations.
Thank you for the update. It is necessary for us all to follow the rules and stay home.
However, I do have a question with regard to the homeless individuals that are at their cottages as they do not have an alternate residence.
What are they going to do this winter when they are unable to go to the US? Are they going to find alternate accommodation or ask the band to stay all winter? Do they get their water from the lake or are their cottages winterized? Things that make you go – hmmmm.
By the way, how many homeless cottagers are we talking about?
Joel,
We don’t have an exact headcount but we understand there are around a dozen to 15 cottagers with permission to be at their cottages.
Where they plan to go at the end of the summer is not our business. Under the terms of the current lease, they do have the option of extending their stay for November and December by paying a prorated fee for the additional 2 months.
What about the local businesses that rely on cottage goers. Places like the Lighthouse will go under without our support.
Has anyone given that some consideration? Perhaps the local BIA should be made aware of this. it’s tough enough for them without our support. Very unfortunate there seems to be no flexibility at all while we responsibly self isolate.
Firstly, the Lighthouse is presently not allowed to open under the Provincial state of emergency directives. This has nothing to do with the Band not allowing you to go to your cottage.
At the same time we appreciate that many local businesses are having a hard time because of the social restrictions that are currently in place. This is also the case for restaurants/bars and many other businesses in your home town.
We will just have to wait to see what both the Province and the Band do as they begin to lift covid19 restrictions.
I’d be curious to know if any special allowance would be granted to cottages who know they have waterfront damage due to the recent storms?
We have lost a tree and have erosion as well. We are quite concerned if not looked after soon how much more damage will occur.
Bonnie,
You will have to consult with Lands Management on this. Our understanding is if your cottage is at risk you may be given permission to get an assessment. If your lot is eroding, so are many others and we are not sure what the Band is doing about this right now. Send an e-mail to Kirk Roote (kirk.roote@saugeen.org). Give him your name and address/fire number. He will be able to tell you whether there is a real issue needing attention right now or if it has to wait.
If you have Spring patrol, you can contact the patrol contractor who could take a look next time he is at your cottage and maybe even send a picture so you get a look at how much erosion there has been.
Rob McLaughlin
SCOI secretary/ treasurer
I think it is reasonable to request that the local plumbers who do water system start ups and maintenance get access to cottages on the reserve in order to begin to open up systems in a orderly manner. Otherwise they will be overwhelmed with requests once the state of emergency is lifted
Dave & Tony
The Band has indicated that no contractors are allowed to work on Band lands except those doing emergency repairs. As mentioned in an earlier post, Huron Kinloss, the municipality south of Port Elgin, has specifically told cottagers and plumbers they will be fined if they turn water on at cottages. I also heard from a Sauble cottager who was told by their plumber they were not allowed to turn water on at cottages. So I’m guessing the answer will be no until the State of Emergency is lifted. You can always call your plumber for an answer.
A considerable amount of erosion has occurred all along the shoreline. Unless your cottage is in immediate danger, you are not allowed to visit your cottage. So far, we have not had any reports of any cottages being in immediate danger.
has the Association had any conversations with the Band in regards to allowing local contractors on to cottage properties to do their spring opening up…….
Since they are local, they are already in the community, so not the same fears as cottagers coming from other communities……and we are talking about very few people as opposed to thousands of cottagers…..
I would imagine if they are not allowed to do this, that once cottagers are allowed back the contractors will be overwhelmed by requests to open up …..
would seem reasonable that local contractors be allowed to open cottages up now…….
Tony,
We have had a number of cottagers asking about spring yard work. Our advice is to contact one or more of the local yard maintenance companies to see if they have Band permission to be doing work on Band lands.
If you able to identify a contractor who can work on Band land, please post the details here. There are lots of people wondering the same thing!
Rob
thanks, to clarify, I wasnt asking about yard work, …….many cottagers use contractors to turn on their water and ensure the plumbing etc…is in working order
The Band’s last message on contractors was that only contractors doing emergency repairs are being allowed to do the repair work but with cottagers not present.
Septic contractors are also local as are many SFN cottagers and they too are not permitted on Band land.
If this situation changes, we will let you know
I think the SCOI should be advocating on behalf of the cottagers. We have been self isolating for more than 4 weeks now, at our main residences. There should be consideration to allow cottagers that agree to continue to self isolate at their cottage for 14 days again, who will not be travelling between communities, who agree to bring supplies with them and at such time groceries are needed, agree to use delivery services or contact-less pick up (the same practices we are doing in our community now). Also, we could easily notify security that we are there, and isolating as well as cancel the winter checks. An agreement could be drawn up, stating the “rules” etc. We can be there and be safe, and be conscious of others the same way we are doing now, at home.
Hi I can appreciate your concerns about your cottage properties. And I understand that you would isolate if allowed at the cottage and you said you would bring your own supplies and then use delivery services if you needed additional supplies. That is part of the problem, it is the demand and supply of groceries/items. We can’t even get enough stock to supply the full time residents let alone an influx of people. Hopefully this will all end soon and you will be able to get up to enjoy your cottage.
Hello,
Can SCOI confirm under what authority tickets are being issued to trespassers, and under what sections of the Indian Act (presumably) the emergency order to stay off the land is being made?
Thanks!
Lauren,
We do not know the answer to your question but assume it falls under a by-law approved by Chief and Band Council.
Can you find out? Are band bylaws posted anywhere people can review them?
It would be helpful to know how the band’s emergency order relates to the signed lease agreements that remain in effect.
Lauren,
Sorry, we don’t have the answer to your question. The Band website is
https://saugeenfirstnation.ca/ I do not think there is any legal stuff there but feel free to look around. My guess is that if this is important to you, you will need to ask the Band for it
My wife and I would like to thank the SCOI Executive for all your hard work – particualrly dealing with the very people you represent. I am sad to hear so many people thinking only of themselves. I too would very much love to be at my cottage right now, but I respect the Band’s desire to keep outsiders – yes, we are outsiders – from bringing COVID-19 into the comunity in which they live TWELVE MONTHS of the year! For those who think the $500 fine is unreasonable, what will you think when the Band decides the penalty for trspassing on THEIR land is REVOKING your lease! Please everyone, patience and respect – not only for the ishes of the Band, but also for the members of the SCOI Executive! Thank you.
It would be nice to have at least some guidelines as to what we may expect. We all know the provincial governments are in the process of developing some guidelines as to how Ontario may approach the next phase to safely open up the province for business. For instance, once the province gives permission to open up provincial parks, can we assume that will signal our ability to return to our cottages? The unknown can be the most frustrating part of this situation.
When the Province and the Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health make changes to the current restrictions, SCOI will approach the Band about the implications for Saugeen Cottagers.
So if a spring contractor or maintenance person and even hired security patrol are allowed to be there because they are locals, surely a family member who is a local could come by to check on cottage, for those of us who do not hire and pay for service
We do not know the answer to this. However the signs do say “No Cottagers or Visitors.
Folks, regardless of whether it’s legally enforceable anywhere in the province it’s the spirit of the request by the Government, Health Authorities and SFN to stay at your primary residences, for the good of everyone in the province, that should be given priority here. We are all entitled to opinions and to make suggestions but it’s crucial that SCOI represents us as a single voice, that we follow the measures that SCOI has agreed to with the SFN and that SCOI maintains a constructive dialogue at all times with the SFN. I am confident the SCOI Leadership are representing our best interests. After all, they are first and foremost our neighbours and have the same interests ….which is to get us back into our cottages as soon as safe and practical without having fractured the excellent relation we enjoy with the SFN.
As the government announced yesterday, there is soon to be a loosening of the restrictions related to the State of Emergency. With that in mind does it make sense for SCOI to open a dialogue now with SFN to determine what the blueprint could mean for opening our cottages and getting us to a new normal that sees us having regular access to our cottages. This may be difficult given that it’s a blue print and not a calendar but perhaps can SCOI get assurance that if the Government allows the people elsewhere in Ontario to go to their cottages will SFN allow Saugeen Cottagers to do the same.
When the Province and the Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health provide advice that calls for changes to current restrictions, SCOI will approach the Band about next steps.
Rob-you are representing our association extremely well. These are unprecedented times. Unfortunately First Nations Communities across the country have a disproportionate representation of health compromised people due to long standing complex reasons. If an outbreak were to occur in SFN the consequences could be devastating. Thank you for ensuring our association is advocating for respect and consideration of our SFN neighbours critical need. Our health leaders and our political leaders have been clear about this serious situation. It’s not that difficult to stay in the comfort and safety of our own homes and help protect the health of others who are depending on us to do the right thing.
Question. Since not all cottagers are members of SCIO, have the nonmembers been notified by SFN that they are not allowed at their cottages on May 24? I am imagining total chaos!!
Thanks for trying to keep us safe
Leslie,
We didn’t get any notification from the Band, so we’re pretty sure no one else did. However, we also didn’t get anything from the Prime Minister, the premier or the mayor of our home city – and they all get money from us. It is always helpful to pay attention. -especially when you are invested as a member of that community. Belonging to SCOI is a good investment these days – $10 saves $500!
Yes indeed, hhmmmm why would you the cottage association we pay to be members of and vote for, ever advocate for us the cottage owner.
Rhonda, SCOI advocates for its members all the time. However we draw the line when it could result in harm to members of the Saugeen First Nation community. We are not in a position to decide what is or is not in their best interests. There are others more qualified than you or us who have decided that cottagers should stay home for now.
If we’re sighting “Federal Jurisdiction” requires folks to stay away, and also that lease payments can’t be deferred because these payments are “Federal” (based on previous communication) Should the federal government not have provided leasees written notification vs the only method of communication being a cottagers association?
I’m all for doing what’s right, and appreciate the complexities between the band and the government – but you can’t have it both ways… It’s also irresponsible leadership on the associations part to spread a message as a “nice to do” but not be able to back it up with facts such as bylaws, and jurisdiction clarity.
As far as I know, fines handed out by a private security firm end up in a collection agencies hands – not a court.
Point being, it’s all a bit wishy washy, and the association is only spurring this rather than create a collective understanding on how cottagers should be able to responsibly visit.
Kim,
Thanks for your input.
Please see the recent post “Clarification from CanCom”
Have a nice day.