A piece of land in Southampton has been turned over to the Saugeen First Nation following a recent breach of the Ontario Heritage Act.
According to the Saugeen Shores Police Service, officers were notified in November of 2022 regarding an incident that occurred at 6 South Rankin Street at the location of a protected archaeological site.
Following a lengthy investigation, the owner of the property and a numbered Ontario company were jointly charged with one count of failing to comply with section 48(1)(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act and one count of failing to comply with section 8(1) of the Ontario Building Code.
On May 5 of 2026, the Ontario Court of Justice Provincial Division convened at the James Mason Memorial Culture and Recreation Centre on Saugeen First Nation where the defendant plead guilty to the Ontario Heritage Act offence.
As a result, the property at 6 South Rankin Street in Southampton has been turned over to Saugeen First Nation, $30,000 has been paid to Saugeen First Nation for remediation of the property, a written apology by the accused to Saugeen First Nation was submitted, and a $3,500 fine plus victim surcharge was levied by the Courts.
