Construction on a Clarendon Street property in Southampton has been halted due to a stop work order issued by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport.
In a news release from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation's Environmental Office, the office says they were left out of the original plans for construction, despite notifying the town of Southampton and the Bruce County Planning Department of possible sites of archaeological significance.
Saugeen Shores CAO David Smith says the town issued the building permit with no knowledge that the property in question may have heritage value.
The head of Bruce County's Planning Department, Bruce Stickney, also stated they were unaware of any remains on the property.
The stop work order was issued after Saugeen Ojibway Nations leadership said they would be occupying the site.
The ministry, environmental office staff, and Ontario's Heritage Trust are now working on a plan for a detailed archaeological investigation of the site.
