Speech

Destruction of natural areas in Muskoka

According to Muskoka Heritage 2007 environmental report card for the Muskoka District, they are concerned about the plan to protect natural areas in Muskoka. Also they are not happy with what the government is doing to protect Muskoka’s natural areas because Muskoka still has large areas vulnerable to clear cutting, road construction and large development applications.

In the district of Muskoka there are huge areas of trees being demolished for retail and subdivisions. These types of actions can affect our tourism because most people come here for Muskoka’s shining lakes and vast forests according to the travel agencies. It makes no sense to destroy them. Also trees give us oxygen which is very important for our survival. The trees help control the earth’s carbon dioxide levels which controls the earth temperature and they are home to hundreds of animals.

We are trying to reconstruct our crumbled economy. Not destroy it. I guess it would be the most logical reason to preserve the way much of Muskoka makes money. For example without Muskoka’s natural areas resorts and restaurants would have a hard time making money because who wants to spend lots of money on a area littered with buildings and pollution. Since the majority of people who vacation here are from cities or areas with little to no natural areas they don’t want to see what they observe every day. They want to see something different that’s why they come here.

When exiting off highway 11 heading to Bracebridge, there is huge clear cut corner where they were supposed to build retail buildings but that hasn’t happened and that spot has been left empty for about 4 years. Do you think that looks very nice if someone is coming here to enjoy Muskoka’s natural surroundings and that is what they see? I recognise we can’t stop development but it’s possible to have more restrictions on how companies build their stores and areas of natural land should be better protected.

Also Canada is one of the few countries who still have large amounts of forest intact. We should preserve them when we still have them. They help keep the earth cool and provide homes for animals. Many animals depend on the natural habitat of Muskoka to survive. I believe that’s a cruel act to completely destroy an animal’s home and leave it with absolutely nothing. How would you feel if that happened to you?

This is a very serious issue that will be hard to reverse if we let it go too far.