We, citizens (or residents) of Canada, all 18 years of age or older, and whose names and addresses appear in printed form below, wish to draw the attention of the Government of Canada to the fact that:
Whereas the lighthouse located at Pointe Mitis in the Ville de Métis-sur-Mer, Québec, was built in 1909 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009;
Whereas the lighthouse and related buildings at Pointe Mitis are the property of the Government of Canada;
Whereas the lighthouse and related buildings at Pointe Mitis have not been designated or otherwise protected by the government of Canada, the province of Québec, the MRC de La Mitis or the Ville de Métis-sur-Mer and are not protected from demolition or alteration by any federal, provincial, regional or municipal law, by-law, regulation or statute;
Whereas the Act to protect heritage lighthouses assented to by the Thirty-ninth Parliament of Canada on 29th May, 2008 recognizes the importance of lighthouses and their historic and aesthetic interest and significance to our communities and our nation;
Whereas the Act to protect heritage lighthouses recognizes the important role of communities in order for people to understand and appreciate the contribution of lighthouses to Canada’s maritime heritage;
Whereast this Act to protect heritage lighthouses comes into effect on 29th May, 2010;
THEREFORE, we request the Canadian Government to: Designate the lighthouse of Pointe Metis in the Ville de Métis-sur-Mer, Québec, as a “heritage lighthouse” under the Act to protect heritage lighthouses and, in the event of its sale, provide funds for its maintenance in keeping with national and international standards for the conservation of heritage properties.
