By Joe O’Grady, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Temiskaming Speaker ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP – The provincial government is being urged to take the lead in addressing a contentious issue pitting indigenous traditional land uses against environmental, public health and municipal zoning concerns. The Temiskaming Municipal Association (TMA) is expressing concern over “the lack of provincial policy for incidental cabins within municipal boundaries.” As outlined in a recent presentation to the TMA by Coleman Township administrators Suzie Fournier and Chris Oslund, incidental cabins are temporary shelters that support the exercise of treaty or Aboriginal rights, such as hunting, fishing and harvesting. The Supreme Court has ruled that building such cabins is reasonably necessary when practicing these rights in a traditional way. “Incidental cabins are becoming increasingly common, yet municipalities currently lack clear guidance…
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