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Vol. 11, Issue 31, April 7, 2007
Tourism project receives Township support By Jim Prince onsidering the possible positive economic impact any tourism development could h a v e o n t h e community, it is no surprise the municipal council has thrown its support behind a proposal to construct facilities for an All Terrain Vehicle(ATV) based enterprise which will also focus on ecotourism. A local firm, "Ride the North," has
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applied to erect two permanent facilities on Crown Land near Chapleau, and the Ministry of Natural Resources is in the process of gathering local input. When it came to Chapleau Municipal Council last week, there was unanimous support in the form of a resolution sponsored by Deputy Mayor André Byham. It was noted the ATV's are used 11 months of the year and would be an asset in the local tourism package.
While there is continuing controversy over the status of the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve, the Ride the North proposal would include ATV guided tours of the Game Preserve. They would embrace hiking, biking, photography and animal viewing using existing roads and trails only. The Ride the North development proposal includes two independent cabins, each with a fourperson capacity. The
sites will incorporate modern facilities and offer housekeeping plan accommodations and guiding service, and equipment rentals.
If the proposal is successful, it would be taking advantage of two of the fastest growing sectors of tourism. Studies have
shown that both ecotourism and driving ATV's are at the top of the list when it comes to favoured outdoor activities.
Child Care services still an issue
By Jim Prince till smarting f r o m t h e decision by one agency to shift its child welfare responsibilities in the township to another, the Chapleau municipal council continues to build support over its concerns to the recent move. The Township is reacting to the decision in February by the Children's Aid
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Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin to close its office here. As a result, foster care cases have been shifted to The Kunuwanimano Children and Family Services, based in Timmins. A resolution adopted at last Monday's regular meeting of Council will be circulated among the other district muni-
cipalities. In the resolution, the Province is chastised for allowing the decision to transfer responsibility for child care without input from the affected municipalities. It accuses the provincial government of allowing the Sudbury Children's Aid Society to make a decision without any Township Council involvement,
knowledge or input. "This is a significant issue." When the transfer of responsibilities was being made Mayor Earle J. Freeborn wrote Mary Anne Chambers, the Minister of Children and Youth Services, to say the move was totally unacceptable, claiming it would have a severe impact on child care services. The Township is asking the other
municipalities under the jurisdiction of the Manitoulin and Sudbury District Children's Aid Society to tell the Minister they agree with Chapleau's concerns and its contention that a change of this nature is one that requires the knowledge and the involvement of affected municipalities before it is simply externally imposed.