Thank You

Thank You!

On behalf of last night’s speakers we would like to send out a huge thank you to all community members who attended the information session at the Port Rowan Community Centre. 

The turnout was extraordinary with over 300 concerned citizens in attendance.




Mr. Al Cassidy started off the evening by introducing the evening’s chair, Mr. Toby Barrett, MPP who was proudly there to listen to the concerns of his community members and to learn about some of the issues currently being faced by Norfolk County.  We are very lucky to have an MPP who is willing to rearrange his schedule to ensure his community knows he is behind them.

Also in attendance was Mr. Jack MacLaren, MPP, Carleton-Mississippi Mills to show his support.

Mr. Peter Holle, President of the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, presented his organization's ideas regarding how conservation does not need to mean the revocation of all human freedoms.  It is better to establish balance for the enjoyment of all.  

Elizabeth Nickson, Canadian Author and Journalist, spoke of her experiences with the Nature Conservancy and provided a history of their impact in rural communities and the devastation caused by radical conservation methods to not only humans but the plants and animals they were intending to protect.

Elizabeth Marshall, Director of Research at the Ontario Landowners Association, presented information regarding the conservation authorities’ methods of obtaining land and restricting use of one’s private property.  She provided information on how to protect your property and prevent conservation authorities from manipulating property owners into allowing them to gain access.

The final presentation of the evening was provided by Mr. David Grummett, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Trail Riders.   Mr. Grummett, who had recently returned from a conference in Florida, spoke of a success recently obtained with the Nature Conservancy in the USA.  He spoke about the importance of having managed, established trails and how these trails provide a place for all to ride, keeps disrespectful riders off of private property and keeps the trails cleaner through regular maintenance

All of the speakers were extremely informative and spoke with audience members before, during and after their presentations.  We are quite confident that people went home with new information and a sense that their community is there to support them.

Very special thanks goes out to the Port Rowan Community Centre for allowing the use of their facility, and to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 379 for staying open for community members to continue discussions with presenters later into the evening.   

If you are interested in obtaining more information from any of the speakers they can be reached via email at

Mr. Toby Barrett, MPP    toby.barrett@pc.ola.org
Mr. Peter Holle                peter.holle@fcpp.org
Elizabeth Nickson            ejnickson@gmail.com

Mr. David Grummett        daveyg@oftr.ca

Video of the presentations will be posted online soon.