NDP: Public pressure reverses Batchawana Bay cuts

Written by NDP Media on 16 January 2013

“My constituents and I rallied to save the park,” said Mantha. “I sent many letters and hundreds of petitions to the Minister. Community members held peaceful protests, signed petitions, and voiced their concerns.” MPP Michael Mantha, Algoma-Manitoulin

ELLIOT LAKE, ON – As a result of an ongoing public appeal by Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha and concerned Ontarians, Batchawana Bay Provincial Park will resume its regular operating hours in 2013.

“This is a victory for the people who love Ontario’s provincial parks,” said Mantha. “The government ignored us when they cut hours and services at our parks, but this announcement proves we can succeed in fighting back against those cuts.”

Batchawana Bay Provincial Park beach. Photo Wikipedia commons.

As a part of the 2012 budget, the Ministry of Natural Resources made over $7 million in cuts, resulting in closures and loss of service in many parks, including several in Algoma-Manitoulin. Batchawana Bay operated with significantly reduced hours in 2012.

“My constituents and I rallied to save the park,” said Mantha. “I sent many letters and hundreds of petitions to the Minister. Community members held peaceful protests, signed petitions, and voiced their concerns.”

Minister Michael Gravelle told Mantha about the reversed cuts in conversation yesterday. Further discussions will be held between the Ministry of Natural Resources and community stakeholders to look at options for enhancing services at Batchawana Bay Provincial Park.

“I’m thrilled by this victory for Batchawana Bay and visitors to the park,” said Mantha. “However, there are still many communities affected by park closures in Algoma-Manitoulin, and across the North, who are suffering the effects of reduced tourism and investment. I urge this government to invest in the North by reinvesting in our parks, which provide valuable opportunities and tourism dollars for many communities.”