Lower Beverley Lake Park questions surface during Rideau Lakes campground licensing bylaw debate
RIDEAU LAKES — Rideau Lakes council has directed staff to continue work on revisions to the township’s proposed tourist campground licensing bylaw, despite ongoing questions about compliance at Lower Beverley Lake Park in Delta.
The motion, introduced by Coun. Marcia Maxwell at the March 2 council meeting, instructs staff to bring forward a revised version of the bylaw for council’s consideration.
The bylaw had previously been deferred following discussion at council’s Feb. 17 committee of the whole meeting while the township seeks clarification from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks regarding compliance issues at the municipally owned Lower Beverley Lake Park campground.
Maxwell said the two matters should not be treated as the same issue.
“I’m not looking to change the deferral,” Maxwell told council. “But I am concerned that this bylaw has been delayed again to deal with the Lower Beverley Lake Park issues, and I feel they are two separate issues.”
She said staff should continue working on revisions outlined in a Feb. 17 report while the park issue is addressed.
Maxwell also argued that moving ahead would give privately operated campgrounds time to prepare for eventual licensing requirements.
“It would only be fair for all the other campgrounds to get their ducks in a row, along with the time that’s being allowed for Lower Beverley,” she said.
Several councillors supported continuing the bylaw work in the background.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch said providing direction to staff would allow progress to continue while the park situation is clarified.
“I think it’s important while we’re dealing with Lower Beverley Lake Park that staff continue developing their amendments,” Bulloch said. “I don’t see there being any conflict there.”
Coun. Paula Banks opposed the motion, arguing council should resolve questions surrounding the township’s own campground before proceeding with regulations affecting private operators.
“I am really, really confused about the conversation about Lower Beverley Lake Park,” Banks said.
“We cannot ethically pass a campground licensing bylaw when we have Lower Beverley Lake Park board members telling campers that MECP is not even involved in their issue, and we’re telling people they are.”
Banks said the conflicting information has created confusion among campground users.
“Until we at least have that clarified, I don’t think we should pass this bylaw.”
Part of the debate centred on whether discussion about the park’s compliance should be considered relevant to the motion.
Maxwell raised a point of order, arguing the discussion was drifting away from the bylaw itself.
Mayor Arie Hoogenboom then asked council members to indicate whether the park discussion should continue.
A majority declined, and council proceeded to vote on the motion.
Council ultimately approved directing staff to continue work on revisions to the campground licensing bylaw.
The recorded vote was eight in favour and one opposed, with Banks voting against the motion.
Keep connected to your community—Read the latest Rideau Lakes news.
