Being Green Means Non-Motorized Recreational Vehicles

snowmobile trespassing around private gate 2022

Letter to the Editor: Disturbing Unique Muskoka Magazine Article

Oct. 7, 2022

To the attention of Don Smith, Unique Muskoka Magazine, MPP Graydon Smith, Premier Doug Ford, Green Party candidate Matt Richter

We were disturbed and disappointed to read two articles in the Fall/Winter 2022 Unique Muskoka Magazine, namely: Highways in the Snow 'Snowmobiling' and Premier Doug Ford's Muskoka Moments hypocritical article pictured, while sitting on an ATV.

My husband and I have had a Trans Ontario Provincial Snowmobile (TOPS) trail forced upon us with no consultation for over 25 years. We know the peace and quiet of Muskoka can be shattered by thousands of snowmobiles screeching by 24/7.

It is fun for some but a nightmare for others.  Will the Ford government and his friend, MPP Graydon Smith, form policy initiatives to stop environmental concerns regarding Ontario snowmobiles? To begin with: eliminate 2-stroke snowmobile motors, irresponsible trespassing on private farmland/pristine areas, snowmobile trails causing wilderness fracturing, and the serious threats from the spring melting of the snowpack as a direct result from snowmobile machines on the trails over water posing severe and dangerous consequences for aquatic life at the sensitive time of spawning.

The toxic ramifications to the sensitive watershed have continued for far too long. It is not fair, nor wise to keep telling the public about all the money snowmobiling makes for tourism in Muskoka. For those who voted for a 'Green' Muskoka, it is more important to have clean air, clean water and clean soil because if we don’t have that, then nothing else will matter in the long run. The future of tourism in Muskoka means protecting our natural environment.

The Green Party of Ontario policy, adopted in 2006, deters the promotion of snowmobiling. This below is an excerpt:

21.8. Public Trails

BE IT RESOLVED that public trails should be closed to all motorized recreational vehicles.  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that non-motorized recreational equipment should be tax-free, while motorized recreational vehicles should be discouraged through taxation and banned from parks and protected areas.

Full Green Party Recreational Vehicle Policy available upon request

Sincerely Brian and Kathy Ashby

Kathy is the author of the book, Carol "A Woman's Way", an environmental fiction, of women's empowerment to protect Planet Earth.