The Highlands Corridor Initiative raises legitimate concerns about access, land use rights, transparency, and long-term certainty. Before any Conservation Reserve designations are finalized, we believe the public deserves:

• Clear, accessible information about what a Conservation Reserve legally entails

• A full opportunity to participate in meaningful public consultation

• Real guarantees—not assumptions— or false statements that have no merit or weight - about the continued use of the land for traditional, recreational, and tourism-related activities
  
  

However, the reality is:
➡️ None of these guarantees can be made.

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 does not provide any legal mechanism to protect existing uses once the designation is in place. Management decisions are made at the discretion of the Province, and the public cannot rely on verbal assurances or public messaging that is not reflected in law by the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust.

As such, we—Citizens for Crown Land Protection—formally and fully oppose the designation of any Conservation Reserve within the Highlands Corridor.

We stand for responsible stewardship, public access, and the right of local communities to shape the future of our lands—not hand it over to unelected managers with no obligation to protect our way of life.

This Isn’t About Opposition to Conservation. 

The newly scaled-back Highlands Corridor proposal—now focused solely on designating the Milburn Kendrick Area of Interest as a conservation reserve—is being presented as a modest and reasonable ask from the Haliburton Highlands Land Trust. On the surface, it may seem like a simple, low-impact step toward environmental protection. But make no mistake: this is a permanent land-use designation with significant and far-reaching consequences for how the land can be accessed, enjoyed, and managed by residents, recreational users, and future generations.

These designations are not just difficult to reverse—they are effectively irreversible. Once approved by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), the land becomes bound by provincial-level restrictions that override local planning, limit traditional land use, and remove the flexibility of future community decision-making.

Let’s ensure the public understands the full scope of what’s at stake—not just the simplified sales pitch—before decisions are made that will permanently alter the region’s future. Because once the MECP gives the green light, there’s no going back. So you might be wondering what you can do?

Take Action Before It’s Too Late 

The Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve proposal isn’t final — yet. But once it’s designated, it’s permanent. This is our chance to speak up for access, local decision-making, and the rural way of life we all value.

Here’s what you can do right now:

Write to Haliburton County Council:

Tell them you do not support the proposed Milburn Kendrick Conservation Reserve designation. Urge them to stand with you and countless other rural residents, recreational users, and local businesses.

Email: clerk@haliburtoncounty.ca
 

Administration Office

11 Newcastle Street, P.O. Box 399
Minden, ON K0M 2K0

Speak before Council:

Submit a delegation request and speak directly to County Council:

https://www.haliburtoncounty.ca/en/council/speaking-before-council.aspx 

Contact Your Mayor or Deputy Mayor:

Highlands East

2249 Loop Road, Wilberforce, ON K0L 3C0

Mayor Dave Burton – 705-448-2981

dburton@highlandseast.ca

Deputy Mayor Cecil Ryall – 705-448-2981

cryall@highlandseast.ca

Dysart et al

135 Maple Avenue, Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0

Mayor Murray Fearrey – 705-457-1740

mfearrey@dysartetal.ca

Deputy Mayor Walt McKechnie – 705-457-1740
wmckechnie@dysartetal.ca

Minden Hills

7 Milne Street, Minden, ON K0M 2K0

Mayor Bob Carter – 705-286-1260
bcarter@mindenhills.ca

Deputy Mayor Lisa Schell – 705-286-1260
lschell@mindenhills.ca

Algonquin Highlands

1123 North Shore Road, Algonquin Highlands, ON K0M 1J1

Mayor Liz Danielsen (also Warden) – 705-489-2379

ldanielsen@algonquinhighlands.ca

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Dailloux – 705-489-2379 

jdaillous@algonquinhighlands.ca

FYI: She sits on HHLT Board
 

Contact the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Minister Todd McCarthy

Email: todd.mccarthy@pc.ola.org | minister.mecp@ontario.ca

Constituency Office:
23 King Street West, Bowmanville, ON L1C 1R2
Tel: 905-697-1501 | Toll-free: 800-661-2433 | Fax: 905-697-1506

Ministry Office:
5th Floor, 777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
Tel: 416-314-6790

Contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Minister Mike Harris Jr.

Email: mike.harris@pc.ola.org | mike.harrisco@pc.ola.org

Constituency Office:
Unit 3 & 463 Arthur Street South, Elmira, ON N3B 2M6
Tel: 519-669-2090 | Fax: 519-669-0476

Ministry Office:
Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, ON M7A 1W3
Tel: 416-314-2301

Contact Supporting or Conditionally Supporting Organizations

Let them know that their stance impacts real people, real livelihoods, and real traditions, and that you would like them to remove their support you can find their contact information on their website or by going here.

Spread the Word

Talk to friends, neighbours, and local business owners. Many people still haven’t heard what’s at stake.

Join the Facebook group to stay informed and connected with others who are speaking out.
Link at the top of the page, or search Citizens for Crown Land Protection on Facebook.

Share resources, write letters, and keep the conversation going. Silence is often mistaken for agreement.

Attend council meetings and ask questions. Your presence and participation matter.