Dear Members,
As we close the chapter on 2025 and step into a new year, I want to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and to look ahead with confidence.
This past year has tested our resolve, but it has also proven the strength of our community. We stood firm in defending property rights, advanced our advocacy through disciplined submissions, and built systems that will serve not only us but future generations. Each effort — from committee meetings to member outreach — has been a brick in the wall of our shared legacy.
Looking forward to 2026, our mission remains clear: to continue building a foundation of fairness, accountability, and resilience. We will sharpen our tools, strengthen our networks, and ensure that our voices are heard in every forum where rights and responsibilities are debated.
Our work is not abstract — it is rooted in real, ongoing battles. The Maple Lake project continues to highlight the importance of protecting our natural heritage. The Small Claims Court action against the Township of Algonquin Highlands, which persists in selling shoreline land that does not belong to them, stands as a reminder that vigilance and legal discipline are essential.
The treaties work regarding First Nation land claims underscores our commitment to justice, reconciliation, and respect for the rule of law.
The fight against restrictive treecutting bylaws on agricultural land reminds us that farming practices — including harvesting trees as a viable crop, a tradition spanning hundreds of years — must be respected as part of farmers’ livelihoods and property rights.
And finally, we must continue to challenge municipal overreach, when bylaws are drafted without proper adherence to provincial legislation such as the Forestry Act. When municipalities “make law up,” they undermine both the rule of law and the rights of those they govern.
I am deeply grateful for your support, your dedication, and your trust. Together, we have shown that persistence and principle can overcome delay and doubt. As we enter the new year, let us carry that spirit forward — confident that our work today will stand as a beacon for tomorrow.
On behalf of the Ontario Landowners Association, I wish you and your families a healthy, prosperous, and determined New Year. May 2026 be a year of renewal, achievement, and enduring liberty.
Call To Action:
As we begin this new year, I encourage each of you to renew your membership, attend our meetings and contribute your voice to our ongoing advocacy.
Please mark your calendars for our Annual General Meeting on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Cobourg — a vital opportunity to gather, share ideas, and strengthen our movement together.
Looking further ahead, remember that municipal elections in Ontario will be held on October 26, 2026.
If you are interested in running for council, please contact the OLA for support. We need landowners on council to bring the importance of property rights directly to the people.
Sincerely,
Jeff Bogaerts
President