Investigation Report: Ombudsman Act – Rural Municipality of Lac du Bonnet
investigations & monitoring
municipal / local body
Summary
A property owner in the RM of Lac du Bonnet, whose property was adjacent to public reserve land in the municipality, was concerned about snowmobilers using his property and the public reserve to access the Lee River. The property owner raised concerns about snowmobile activity with the RM, but believed that the RM had not treated his concerns fairly. In this case, the ombudsman concluded that while the RM has no obligation to enforce the Off-Road Vehicles Act (the RCMP enforces the act in this area), the RM has an obligation to set expectations and rules for snowmobile use in the area, given that it markets itself as a “four-season playground.” The ombudsman recommended that the RM work with the local RCMP detachment to create a safer and more compliant environment for snowmobiling and also that the RM review plans and bylaws of other municipalities that regulate snowmobile use and consider how such practices could apply in the RM.
Cases 2019-0283 and 2019-0284