Golf cart program for Boblo sought

Amherstburg town council is looking to the province to see if Bois Blanc Island can be part of a provincial pilot project to allow golf cart use on the island.

Bois Blanc Community Association president Loris Boschin wrote to town council asking the town work with the province to see if Bois Blanc – a.k.a. Boblo – can be included in the pilot program.

“It has come to our attention that there exists a possibility for our community to participate in the Ontario Provincial Government’s Pilot Project to allow the use of golf carts in island communities. We also understand that Pelee Island is participating in this unique opportunity,” Boschin wrote. “In my capacity as the President of the Bois Blanc Homeowners Association I would like to confirm that the members of the Bois Blanc Community Association are willing to have Boblo Island participate in the Provincial Pilot Project.”

Councillor Linden Crain noted “there is a lot of history on this one” and wanted to know more background on the request. Clerk Kevin Fox said in 2023, two areas of the town were put forth for the pilot project but Amherstburg was not selected. 

“If council wishes to put our name forward again, we certainly could,” said Fox, “but ostensibly, they have our request from 2023 again as well.”

Crain moved that another request be put in for the pilot project. 

Councillor Peter Courtney noted Lake Erie Country Club was also identified in 2023, and suggested areas in Amherst Pointe could be an idea as well. Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb said the province could “shut it down” if multiple locations are requested.

“(The province) wants to be very, very specific where these are used,” said Gibb. “I would just leave it at Bois Blanc/Boblo. If those other areas want to submit, we can look into it. I just think if we try to do Boblo and this place and that place, it’s going to screw up the entire application.”

Councillor Diane Pouget asked if that would violate the Highway Traffic Act, noting she has received numerous complaints about golf carts and how they are being operated.

“They were numerous last year. They were calling police all the time,” she said.

“I’m really concerned about this if we proceed with asking for something that’s a violation of the Highway Traffic Act.”

Mayor Michael Prue said based on what happened in Lakeshore, a child under eight can’t be on the cart and it has to have a horn, lights, signals “and a whole bunch of things.” 

Fox said there is a section of the Highway Traffic Act which includes for pilot projects. Areas identified for a pilot project are excluded from normal provisions of the Act, he said, adding “there are special regulations that are designed around those areas that exempt them from a lot of those requirements and set out new requirements that are specific around the pilot project’s objectives.”

The motion passed, with Prue breaking the tie to let it go forward.

“It’s a long shot but let’s see what the province is going to do,” he said.

Golf cart program for Boblo sought

By Ron Giofu