The Town of South Bruce Peninsula has issued a statement almost a week after the Supreme Court dismissed its appeal of a land claim over a stretch of Sauble Beach.
The Town acknowledged that the court’s decision not to hear the appeal means that "phase one of the land claim is now complete with Saugeen First Nations being declared as the owner of the sand beach between Main Street and Seventh Street North."
However, it said the Federal government should complete a land survey to formally set the First Nation's eastern and northern boundary.
The Town had previously expressed confusion with the boundary, stating that Lakeshore Boulevard and any lands east of should not be included.
Phase two of the land claim, which focuses on compensation, is likely to begin in 2026. Both Saugeen First Nation and South Bruce Pensinsula will seek to be made whole, with the town saying it will be looking for "compensation from the Crown to address a multitude of issues created by the decision."
"Council’s main goal now is to build and strengthen our relationship with our neighbours of Saugeen First Nation," says Mayor Kirkland. "By doing so, we can work together to bring even greater prosperity to our area."
The Town also clarified that the community is still called Sauble Beach, and the Town remains the owner of the sand beach between Seventh St North and Groves Point. It alleges there has been confusion caused by the change of the Sauble Beach sign earlier this summer.