Grey Sauble Conservation Authority has been awarded full indemnity legal costs totalling $22,884.13 following court proceedings over ownership of the Hibou Conservation Area.
The ruling follows an earlier decision by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice confirming GSCA’s ownership of the property.
The dispute began in April 2020 when a “For Sale” sign appeared on the northeast portion of the Hibou property near Leith, raising concerns among residents and community groups. GSCA later learned another party had registered a title interest in the land and launched legal action to stop any sale and resolve the matter.
In its latest ruling, the court found the opposing party did not hold valid title and relied on invalid documentation. The judge also determined higher-than-normal legal costs were justified because of what was described as especially egregious conduct.
GSCA CAO Tim Lanthier said the decision confirms the authority acted appropriately to protect public conservation land and ensures the cost of defending ownership will not fall on taxpayers.
Hibou Conservation Area includes approximately 329 acres along the shoreline of Georgian Bay and has been maintained as a public conservation area since the 1970s.