Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka and newly appointed Ontario Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, has been charged with violating Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. The charges were laid by private citizen Michael Opara.
Smith, the former Mayor of Bracebridge, was named along with the municipality and two Bracebridge employees in charges related to allegedly causing harm or harassing Blanding’s turtles, and impacting their environment. The turtles are a protected species in Ontario.
The charges remain unproven, and a court date has been set for September 21, 2022.
The charges arise from road grading work undertaken by the Town of Bracebridge in 2021.
According to a story written by CBC News reporter Mike Crawley, Sarah Hahn, a lawyer acting on behalf of the Town of Bracebridge said she is confident the charges will be thrown out. “It is unfortunate that town resources must now be used to respond to these baseless accusations,” Hahn was quoted as saying.
The complainant, Michael Opara, is a Bracebridge activist who has appeared before council on numerous occasions, at times accusing council and then-Mayor Smith of inappropriate actions. Sources tell Doppler there has been an acrimonious relationship between Opara and council for years.
When reached for comment, Smith told Doppler that he is unable to comment on the matter at this time.
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You people are rediculous….unless you all live in tents and rely only on a canoe for transportation then the house you live in has displaced and killed animals and insects/etc when it was built, and the car you drive is polluting and eventually killing more – even if it’s electric….it’s unfortunate but part or life and part of progress and growth. NONE of us could live in and enjoy Muskoka without growth and a strong economy. We live in a Muskoka that is obviously much more developed than it was 100 years ago, does that make all who have moved here in the past 100 years guilty of destruction of Nature?? No, that’s rediculous, just like its rediculous to criticize Graydon for his actions…grow up, if you don’t like growth of any kind perhaps it’s time to move up north, way up north…go until the roads stop, then go further…maybe you’ll be safe. Otherwise get real and understand that unfortunately growth doesn’t come without sacrifice and communities can’t survive without growth.
FYI: If interested and/or missed the MWC (Muskoka Watershed Council) article, in the second comment a related call to action (CTA) can be found; as follows;
https://doppleronline.ca/huntsville/mwc-shellebrates-world-turtle-day-on-may-23/
This is not a matter to be dismissed.
As an indication of support, this submission is to underline the importance of preserving and protecting “the environment”.
Larger issues are involved, than grading the Bracebridge side road; Mr. Smith’s (former Mayor/District Counsellor, current MPP for Parry Sound Muskoka) and others’ involvements; Mr. Opara’s action. These are also issues of others, other municipalities, districts, ridings, etc. and of serious provincial, federal, global concern.
Overriding serious concerns re: information, responses and access to Official Plans (e.g., municipalities, District) and amendments; zoning, including changes; Bylaws (e.g., “Nuisance Beaver”, Comprehensive Planning Permit and mapping, etc.) have generally been considerably “less than satisfactory”, not limited to the above, and are ongoing!
Any turtle soup going to be served at the Queen’s Park cafeteria? Turtle eggs on the breakfast menu? Guess not.
WOW Bob Slater! Another person who has the somewhat Biblical view that we should push the “have dominion over” to the max. Especially if there might be a dollar in it.
Drain it! Cut it down! Blow it up! Pave it over! And if necessary, dispatch any critter that may walk, creep crawl, slither or fly.
We have some such developers in our communities now and I didn’t think they needed someone shilling for them. They seem to be able to carry on without your shoulder to lean on.
A pity.
I am pretty sure your drained, chopped down, blasted and paved over town or country is not where I’d be happy. I like the odd bird, turtle, frog or critter around. And then there are all kinds of insects..
The new cabinet with Doug Ford, Smith and Ford’s nephew seems more like a WWF tag team.
Is Smith Minister of Natural resources or Minister of Natural resource Extraction?
David and Goliath, (literally)
May justice prevail and strike a blow for conservation, the Blandings is our generations Dodo, let’s not get it wrong, we owe it to them to at least try.
The comment by Bob Slater above requires a response.
Most of us live in Muskoka for its natural beauty and tranquility. Obviously you don’t appreciate this. Perhaps the Mississauga desert is a better choice Bob Slater. He should get a life there.
The needless and unlawful destruction of any species is morally repugnant. Laws are in place to stop illegal hunting and destruction of wildlife. Kudos that someone wants to see them enforced. Around town there has been needless destruction of forests and blasting of large areas. This must stop. Big city ideas don’t belong in our beautiful Muskoka. Those who have them should move to those cities where they might be feel happier. I think they would be back pretty quick.
WOW! Michael Opara get a life! ,, I don’t know what the law is .. but if you had to pay $$$ for all your shenanigans ie court cost etc .. maybe you would get a life and stop all these time wasters!? It is pretty hard to have any progress ie construction, housing, infrastructure projects ete etc without killing a worm, taking down some trees, and altering landscape … there is reality and living in a fantasy world … I think I know what world you live in!
Skeleton out of the closet. At the municipal level they can be kept hidden. Graydon isn’t playing Little League any more.
Town lawyer Hahn ‘confident’ that charges will be thrown out. Thrown out with the turtle eggs? Confident based on what? My tax dollars are paying for this useless legal drum beating. And if convicted I got to pay for them to spend time in jail?? They’d be better off hiring a snapping turtle to represent them.
When will Graydon comment? When he resigns? Do the decent thing Graydon and resign. I’m dying for a comment.
Graydon Smith as Minister of Natural Resources ??? What next. Hannibal Lecter as Minister of Health?
Questions and rumours have swirled around Smith for years. Now I believe them.
How can this be baseless? Baseless? Really.?
David Donnelly, an environmental lawyer in Toronto, says last week’s decision by the justice of the peace to set a court date for the case gives the charge legitimacy.
“Essentially, there are sufficient grounds to proceed to trial,” said Donnelly, who has brought private prosecutions in the past but is not involved in the Bracebridge charges.
“It’s the same screening process as with anything that the police might take to a prosecutor or that the Ministry of the Environment or any other ministry would take,” Donnelly said in an interview.
About time someone exposed the goings on at the Town. Why don’t they just run their road grader so it doesn’t harm the turtle habitat. Oh no that’s too hard or some other excuse.
The Town management and Council need to be formally investigated. Especially alleged questionable practices. What are they scared of? Turtles? Oh it might be much more than just some turtles in the way.
As to Graydon Smith he’s now the proverbial fox in the hen house as the Minister of Natural Resources. Resign Graydon.
Graydon, you are now a celebrity and easy target.
This probably won’t be the last?
Into every MPP’s life a little BS must fall!
Stay the course! You will do just fine!
Just like Doug Ford, Graydon Smith is all about development at any cost.
Pave the greenbelt and turn Muskoka forests into Mississauga barrens as fast as possible.
Obviously Muskoka Parry Sound should have gone Green.
It was close.
Toronto protects their trees better than Muskoka.
There are beautiful homes surrounded by large trees near downtown Toronto.
Muskoka? Neighbours and residents, conservation and turtles can GTH.
Forget zoning and planning rules.
That’s all just red tape.
Developers know rules will be changed to suit whatever they want.
Not the other way around.
Build anything, anywhere.
Starting with wiping out trees needlessly in many areas of Bracebridge, for example.
Leaving it completely barren for many years.
Across from Home Depot, near the new high school and most recently at Travelodge along the road where you can’t build anyway.
Disaster.