General

How will the Algonquin Land Claim affect cottagers?

Whose land is it anyway? That’s the 20-year, nine-million-acre question. Negotiations over the Algonquin Land Claim—the area covers about 8.9 million acres within the Ottawa River and Mattawa River watersheds—began back in 1991. 
In December 2012, negotiators released a draft of a potential settlement, currently open for review. If finalized, this agreement would transfer at least 117,500 acres of Crown land to the Algonquins of Ontario. “It’s a fairly significant change in land use on a fairly significant piece of real estate,” says Terry Rees, the executive director of the Federation 
of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations. And it’s noteworthy for some cottagers (although private property won’t be expropriated). “What will be the ultimate use of that land? It’s entirely possible that it won’t just be left as trees and rocks,” 
says Rees. The final settlement, if it goes through, will be years in the making. For more information, public meeting dates, to view the draft document, or to see a more detailed version of the map below, visit ontario.ca/landclaims.

 

Algonquin map

Sign up for our newsletters

By submitting your information via this form, you agree to receive electronic communications from Cottage Life Media, a division of Blue Ant Media Solutions Inc., containing news, updates and promotions regarding cottage living and Cottage Life's products. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

Weekly

The latest cottage-country news, trending stories, and how-to advice

Weekly

Need-to-know info about buying, selling, and renting cottage real estate

Five-part series

Untangle the thorny process of cottage succession with expert advice from lawyer, Peter Lillico