The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA), the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA), will be hosting public information meetings on the Algonquin Land Claim settlement, with the first scheduled for this evening in Stittsville, Ont.
The purpose of the meeting is “To let the people who live, work, hunt, fish and recreate in the land claim area know what’s at stake,” said OFAH Executive Director Angelo Lombardo in recent release. “To date, the government has not provided the public with the opportunity for consultation, which is inexcusable.” The OFAH, CSI, and FOCA believe it is their collective responsibility to inform the public of how they may be affected.
“The opportunity to hunt, fish, boat, hike, cottage, trap, canoe, camp or ATV in the land claim area is on the line,” said Lombardo. This meeting is meant to provide the public with background information to help prepare them for government sessions taking place in March.
The first meeting will take place tonight from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Stittsville & District Branch 618. The next meeting will take place in North Bay, Ont. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23. And the third meeting scheduled by these three organizations will take place in Pembroke, Ont. on Thursday, February 28, 2013 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Best Western Inn & Conference Centre. Anyone is welcome to attend.
For dates times, and locations of the government sessions set to take place in March, go to aboriginalaffairs.gov.on.ca.