Dear Friends,
Thank you all for your continued efforts in supporting the vision for the Talisman Lands.
Protecting Talisman Lands Association (ProtectTalisman.ca) is a group of local citizens that believes that public lands are for the public good and what happens with publicly owned lands should be determined in an open, transparent process in consultation with citizens. The Association recently filed a Freedom of Information request, and has now launched a legal challenge. Their press release that was sent out today is below. Please contact them if you wish to become more involved in this work or make a donation.
PROTECTING TALISMAN LANDS ASSOCIATION FILES LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS BY MUNICIPALITY OF GREY HIGHLANDS AT FORMER TALISMAN RESORT
CONTACT:
Kate Lazier/ TalismanLands@gmail.com/ 437 887 6554
November 4, 2021: Protecting Talisman Lands Association has filed an application to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice concerning the Municipality of Grey Highlands conditional sale of the municipally owned lands at the former Talisman Resort in the heart of the Beaver Valley. The Association has requested the court quash the Municipality’s decisions related to the sale of these lands and to order that no further action be taken by the Municipality until the matter is determined by the Court.
The Application, found here, alleges that the Municipality has failed to comply with certain provisions of the Municipal Act (Ontario) and its own policy concerning the sale of surplus lands in entering into this conditional sale agreement.
“The Municipality of Grey Highlands has made key decisions regarding the Talisman public lands behind closed doors and not followed their own policy on land sales,” said Jane Pyper, Chair of the Board of the Association. “Their land sale policy calls for an open, fair and transparent process, but “sole source” negotiations with the purchaser were done in secret. We are concerned that other interested bidders were ignored by the Municipality.”
Pyper continued, “The Municipality can realize substantial long term economic benefits for itself and the community through the protection, restoration and enhancement of the natural areas and outstanding landscapes of the Beaver Valley. Large scale development of these public lands to maximize short-term profits would ignore the unique advantages of the Beaver Valley”.
These lands are of special environmental significance, situated within the Niagara Escarpment, recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. The fact that they are publicly owned presents a unique opportunity to protect them in perpetuity for the enjoyment of generations to come and for the preservation of important ecological systems.
Many community members and organizations have written to the Municipality expressing their concerns and asking for more information, but there continues to be very little communication or explanation from the Municipality. “We had hoped and we continue to hope that the Mayor and Council will do the right thing, listen to the wishes of their community, taxpayers and voters as expressed in the recently adopted Beaver Valley Vision, and reconsider their decision and the entire process. It’s not too late to ensure that these public lands benefit the entire community.”
About Protecting Talisman Lands Association
Protecting Talisman Lands Association is a not-for-profit community organization dedicated to ensuring an environmentally sustainable future for the lands at the former Talisman resort. For more information or to make a donation to assist the Association in its work, go to www.ProtectTalisman.ca or email TalismanLands@gmail.com.
Sincerely,
Jeanette on behalf of Friends of the Beaver Valley