Nicholls defends Rondeau Cottages after Ministry letter casts doubt on their future

Rick Nicholls, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Essex

After receiving mixed messages from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls asked the Minister to clarify the government’s position on the future of Rondeau cottages and the recently damaged pier.

The Rondeau Cottagers Association feels that a letter dated March 25^th from Assistant Deputy Minister Tracey Mill casts doubt on the future of the cottages.

Mill stated that it is the Ministry’s goal to “restore and rehabilitate the Park to its natural state.”

Nicholls asked the Minister what the statement means, “Is the removal of the cottages within Rondeau imminent and if so, who makes the final call – you, or your bureaucrats?”

Following a rough winter, the Rondeau Provincial Park pier was heavily damaged. Calls for the repair of the pier have been heard throughout the area, and MPP Nicholls asked the Minister to confirm that the Rondeau pier will be saved. Nicholls asked, “Respectfully Minster, in the words of the anglers in my riding, ‘Are we going to fish or continue to cut bait?’”.

Minister Orazietti would not confirm that the popular tourist attraction will be fixed. “We have these types of needs all across the province, and we want to prioritize and use our resources as best as possible,” said Minister Orazietti.

“The government is working towards a solution for the expiring cottage leases, but they’ve been working on it for years. I will continue to hold their feet to the fire and get these issues resolved sooner rather than later,” Nicholls said.