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What Coronavirus Means for Going to the Lake What Coronavirus Means for Going to the Lake
(8 days later)
Like many Canadians in areas where this is a holiday weekend, my wife and I would normally be at our cottage, dragging outdoor furniture and small boats out of their winter dens, assessing the handiwork of mice and squirrels and generally getting set up for a summer of fun.Like many Canadians in areas where this is a holiday weekend, my wife and I would normally be at our cottage, dragging outdoor furniture and small boats out of their winter dens, assessing the handiwork of mice and squirrels and generally getting set up for a summer of fun.
But the pandemic means that we’re not there this year. And like many matters pandemic-related, there is no consensus about what Canadian families fortunate enough to own a summer cottage, cabin, shack, chalet, camp — or whatever they’re called in your region — should do.But the pandemic means that we’re not there this year. And like many matters pandemic-related, there is no consensus about what Canadian families fortunate enough to own a summer cottage, cabin, shack, chalet, camp — or whatever they’re called in your region — should do.
Regulations and advice to cottage owners vary not just by province but often by regions. And I also found this week that guidelines can be vague or even contradictory within the same region.Regulations and advice to cottage owners vary not just by province but often by regions. And I also found this week that guidelines can be vague or even contradictory within the same region.
In New Brunswick, Premier Blaine Higgs said at the beginning of May that residents could go to their cottages as part of opening up “and enjoying the province and the many beauties it offers.” But if you’re not a resident of New Brunswick, that pleasure is currently off limits. The provincial government referred me to its Facebook post indicating that “nonessential travel into the province remains prohibited for campers and cottagers from outside New Brunswick.”In New Brunswick, Premier Blaine Higgs said at the beginning of May that residents could go to their cottages as part of opening up “and enjoying the province and the many beauties it offers.” But if you’re not a resident of New Brunswick, that pleasure is currently off limits. The provincial government referred me to its Facebook post indicating that “nonessential travel into the province remains prohibited for campers and cottagers from outside New Brunswick.”
Alberta has eased many restrictions within the province, except in Calgary and Brooks, which have been comparatively hard hit. But the mayors of Banff and neighboring Canmore, an exceptionally beautiful area where many Calgarians have secondary homes, are urging outsiders to stay away for now.Alberta has eased many restrictions within the province, except in Calgary and Brooks, which have been comparatively hard hit. But the mayors of Banff and neighboring Canmore, an exceptionally beautiful area where many Calgarians have secondary homes, are urging outsiders to stay away for now.
At the same time, Quebec has largely lifted its internal travel restrictions. As a result, its ministry of public safety told me in an email that Quebecers are free to visit their chalets provided that they don’t travel the area after they arrive and that they bring all of their groceries and supplies.At the same time, Quebec has largely lifted its internal travel restrictions. As a result, its ministry of public safety told me in an email that Quebecers are free to visit their chalets provided that they don’t travel the area after they arrive and that they bring all of their groceries and supplies.
But, and it’s a big but, the police will still turn around travelers from Ontario heading to their cottages in West Quebec across bridges from Ottawa.But, and it’s a big but, the police will still turn around travelers from Ontario heading to their cottages in West Quebec across bridges from Ottawa.
Then there’s Ontario. After urging its residents to stay away from their cottages at Easter, Premier Doug Ford acknowledged that he broke his own recommendation by making a quick trip up to his place near Huntsville to check on its plumbing.Then there’s Ontario. After urging its residents to stay away from their cottages at Easter, Premier Doug Ford acknowledged that he broke his own recommendation by making a quick trip up to his place near Huntsville to check on its plumbing.
Since then, Mr. Ford essentially left it up to local authorities to decide if cottagers will be welcome.Since then, Mr. Ford essentially left it up to local authorities to decide if cottagers will be welcome.
Emotions are strong on both sides. In some areas, the possibility of seasonal residents returning has inflamed the always lingering tensions between the year-round residents and the often much more affluent cottage owners.Emotions are strong on both sides. In some areas, the possibility of seasonal residents returning has inflamed the always lingering tensions between the year-round residents and the often much more affluent cottage owners.
Many cottagers, particularly those who live in high-rise buildings, see their second homes as an ideal solution for isolation.Many cottagers, particularly those who live in high-rise buildings, see their second homes as an ideal solution for isolation.
But one obvious concern is that the coronavirus will hitchhike into these areas along with the cottagers. Year-round residents are also worried that their small hospitals will be overwhelmed as will places like grocery stores, which are now operating under physical distancing restrictions that curb the number of customers allowed entry at once.But one obvious concern is that the coronavirus will hitchhike into these areas along with the cottagers. Year-round residents are also worried that their small hospitals will be overwhelmed as will places like grocery stores, which are now operating under physical distancing restrictions that curb the number of customers allowed entry at once.
The medical officer of health for Haldimand-Norfolk, which has been unusually hard hit by more than 30 deaths, is sticking with orders formally barring people from using their cottages on the shore of Lake Erie.The medical officer of health for Haldimand-Norfolk, which has been unusually hard hit by more than 30 deaths, is sticking with orders formally barring people from using their cottages on the shore of Lake Erie.
But in Muskoka, where Mr. Ford and I each go to get away, along with about 80,000 other seasonal residents, there have been mixed messages. Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for Muskoka and another popular cottage area, wants everyone to stay away. His concern is transmission, and he has noted that Toronto, home to many of the cottage owners, has three times the rate of Covid-19 infections as Muskoka.But in Muskoka, where Mr. Ford and I each go to get away, along with about 80,000 other seasonal residents, there have been mixed messages. Dr. Charles Gardner, the medical officer of health for Muskoka and another popular cottage area, wants everyone to stay away. His concern is transmission, and he has noted that Toronto, home to many of the cottage owners, has three times the rate of Covid-19 infections as Muskoka.
The mayors of Muskoka, however, put out an open letter warning everyone to avoid creating an “us versus them” situation between seasonal and full-time residents. The letter left open the possibility that cottagers could come, while laying down some rules.The mayors of Muskoka, however, put out an open letter warning everyone to avoid creating an “us versus them” situation between seasonal and full-time residents. The letter left open the possibility that cottagers could come, while laying down some rules.
Phil Harding, the mayor of Muskoka Lakes township and one of the letter’s authors, spans both camps. He started coming to a family cottage in Muskoka from Toronto in 1966 and moved there during the 1990s. His township, which includes some of the most expensive cottages in Canada, has about 6,500 year-round residents and 13,500 cottagers.Phil Harding, the mayor of Muskoka Lakes township and one of the letter’s authors, spans both camps. He started coming to a family cottage in Muskoka from Toronto in 1966 and moved there during the 1990s. His township, which includes some of the most expensive cottages in Canada, has about 6,500 year-round residents and 13,500 cottagers.
Updated July 27, 2020 Updated August 3, 2020
While he was flatly against anyone without a cottage or home coming up to visit, he told me that he opposed any move to block cottagers from their properties.While he was flatly against anyone without a cottage or home coming up to visit, he told me that he opposed any move to block cottagers from their properties.
“I certainly would never want a military-type state with checkpoints on every highway and municipal border,” Mr. Harding said. “Most people have been and will continue to be respectful of the virus and of other people and of different communities.”“I certainly would never want a military-type state with checkpoints on every highway and municipal border,” Mr. Harding said. “Most people have been and will continue to be respectful of the virus and of other people and of different communities.”
Provided that they follow isolation rules and bring supplies, Mr. Harding’s message to cottagers is: “You are residents of Muskoka Lakes and you would be welcome to come.”Provided that they follow isolation rules and bring supplies, Mr. Harding’s message to cottagers is: “You are residents of Muskoka Lakes and you would be welcome to come.”
(For the record, the cottage I usually go to, my wife's family’s cottage, is in a different Muskoka township than Mr. Harding’s.)(For the record, the cottage I usually go to, my wife's family’s cottage, is in a different Muskoka township than Mr. Harding’s.)
Soon the curse of black flies will become an effective means of keeping cottagers away in many parts of the country for the next month or so. So many people may not make their cottage decisions until Canada Day.Soon the curse of black flies will become an effective means of keeping cottagers away in many parts of the country for the next month or so. So many people may not make their cottage decisions until Canada Day.
If you live in a community with vacation residences, I’d like to know what you think about cottagers returning to your area. Similarly, if you have a cottage, have you decided if you’ll use it this year? Please email me and include your full name and where you live or cottage at nytcanada@nytimes.com. Unless you indicate otherwise, your comments may appear in a future Canada Letter.If you live in a community with vacation residences, I’d like to know what you think about cottagers returning to your area. Similarly, if you have a cottage, have you decided if you’ll use it this year? Please email me and include your full name and where you live or cottage at nytcanada@nytimes.com. Unless you indicate otherwise, your comments may appear in a future Canada Letter.
The Overlooked No More series of obituaries has told the story of June Almeida. She developed new techniques for the electron microscope at Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto that allowed her later to capture an image of the first coronavirus known to cause human disease.The Overlooked No More series of obituaries has told the story of June Almeida. She developed new techniques for the electron microscope at Ontario Cancer Institute in Toronto that allowed her later to capture an image of the first coronavirus known to cause human disease.
Churchill, Manitoba, is No. 29 on The New York Times’s 52 Places to Go in 2020. You can’t actually do that right now. But the freelance writer Hillary Richard went before the pandemic shutdown to kayak with Belugas.Churchill, Manitoba, is No. 29 on The New York Times’s 52 Places to Go in 2020. You can’t actually do that right now. But the freelance writer Hillary Richard went before the pandemic shutdown to kayak with Belugas.
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Ian Austen was educated in Toronto, lives in Ottawa and has reported about Canada for The New York Times for the past 16 years. Follow him on Twitter at @ianrausten.A native of Windsor, Ontario, Ian Austen was educated in Toronto, lives in Ottawa and has reported about Canada for The New York Times for the past 16 years. Follow him on Twitter at @ianrausten.
We’re eager to hear your thoughts about this newsletter and events in Canada in general. Please send them to nytcanada@nytimes.com.We’re eager to hear your thoughts about this newsletter and events in Canada in general. Please send them to nytcanada@nytimes.com.
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