Protest Against OHA Designation of Private Uxbridge Century Home Without Owners' Consent

Did you know that your local Council can designate your private home under the Ontario Heritage Act without your consent?  Acting on the recommendation of their local Heritage Committee, they can take away your rights to alter (or demolish) parts of your property.  For example, you would have to get Council's permission to change your front door or your soffit and facia or your shutters if you're designated.  Similarly, if you need to repair something by replacing rotted original material (e.g. wood) with new material, you need their permission.  It would be a bureaucratic, red-tape nightmare!  With all these restrictions, it will make it more difficult to sell your house and likely depress its resale value because less people will be interested in purchasing it.

This is what is likely to happen to us as owners of a Century Home in Uxbridge, Ontario unless we can convince our Council otherwise.  One way may be by showing our Mayor and Councillors that taking away private property rights and freedoms in this way is very unpopular with residents of Uxbridge Township and other concerned Ontario citizens.  We value the heritage of the house - that's why we've lived here for 29 years restoring and caring for it.  We simply object to it being designated without our consent.  The irony is that this is being done to honour the memory of a former resident of the property who fought in World War I to defeat tyranny and protect democratic rights and freedoms!

If you agree with us that this is a travesty in a free country such as Canada, please sign our petition and let Council know that you strenuously object to this potential enforced designation of private property that takes away the owners' rights and freedoms.