The future of a generation’s old family business and way of life will be the focal point of a meeting of Prince Edward County council tonight (Tuesday).
Three delegations will speak in support of a commercial fishing family who’ve been pushing the federal government to allow it to continue to lease land on Point Traverse in Long Point Harbour as a base for summertime fishing operations.
The McCormack family uses a 75 year old cottage for accommodations and other buildings for the storage of equipment and has done so for years. Other commercial fishers had allowed their leases to expire as the industry evolved.
Last year the government notified remaining leaseholders that they were to leave the land which has been owned by Canada Wildlife Services since 1978 and recently became the Prince Edward Point Wildlife Area.
The Ministry of Environment had previously issued a statement saying that terminating the leases will allow Environment Climate Change Canada to restore the area to its natural state and ensure compliance with the Canada Wildlife Act which does not allow the use of National Wildlife Area lands for commercial or private purposes.
Bay of Quinte riding MP Ryan Williams has been lobbying the government to allow a land lease with the McCormack family to continue.
“This just doesn’t make sense. We are in a recession and these leases help residents who are just trying to make a living as commercial fishermen.”
Prince Edward County council meets this evening at 7 o’clock at Shire Hall.
