Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams presented a petition to the House of Commons on Tuesday calling for Environment and Climate Change Canada to reverse its decision on terminating the lease of a summer home at Point Traverse in Prince Edward County.
Decades ago, Canada Wildlife Services took over Point Traverse but fishermen in the area were told they could continue commercial fishing and that their building and cottage leases would remain.
That was until August 31, 2023 when the lease for the McCormack family’s summer fishing home was terminated and the building was boarded up.
“They’ve been told, and one of the reasons which was incredible, that commercial fishing is just not viable and those living there probably can find other ways to make it work. That is just unacceptable Mr. Speaker,” MP Williams said in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change said that terminating the leases would allow the ministry 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.
“These commercial fisheries are a vital part of the economy in Prince Edward County and we call on the Government of Canada to reinstate the leases for the commercial fishing village Heritage Area located in Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area,” Williams told the House of Commons.
