There is again an attempt to increase access to Ontario's shore of the Great Lakes, even between private homes and the water.
Provincial Parliament Member Kim Craitor tells WBFO News it's a 'right of passage' bill and he's introducing legislation for the fourth-time.
Craitor spent eight-years working on the bill at the behest of his constituents. It's a big issue for many of them since he represents Fort Erie, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Niagara Falls and all those beaches in the Legislative Assembly. It's a big issue in Ontario because the province has the entire Canadian shore of the Great Lakes.
Craitor said the bill wouldn't cover every piece of property.
"The right of passage bill that we put in says that if you have a deed that says you own right into the lakes then you own into the lakes and this bill that we are proposing cannot take away your rights. So, if someone has that, then they are entitled to it," said Craitor.
Craitor said it isn't clear what deeds apply right into the water, although he has seen at least one. He said there is also the issue of where the water's edge is since lakes water levels rise and fall with levels down right now.
The parliamentarian said this is different from the issue of landowners trying to limit use of public access areas.