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The following letter was received for publication on JSC from Kerri Parfitt, Caledon Swan Lake advocate.
Good afternoon Swan Lake champions:
I would like to bring your attention to the latest post on Councillor Russo’s Facebook and Instagram pages where he seems to take credit for the hard work and advocacy of this group. With the election 3 days away, this seems to be quite extraordinary behaviour for a Mayoral candidate. I responded to the posts with the details below but they were immediately deleted.
Please share this with all of your contacts who perhaps are unaware of what transpired last year when we all fought so hard to save Swan Lake. Thank you for your past advocacy and thank you for sharing the truth with the residence of Caledon. Remember to VOTE this MONDAY, October 26!
My comment on Councillor Russo’s post that was deleted:
“The motion was brought forward on behalf of the developer by Mayor Groves in May 2025. You voted to pursue filling the lake with construction-fill along with Councillors Maskell, Napoli and Rosa. Over 200 residents, including myself sent hundreds of emails from June 2025 through November 2025. You refused to listen, calling us misinformed and accusing many of spreading disinformation. I have these emails.
We sought help at the provincial level. After MPP Hsu had the Ministry of Natural Resources answer the question regarding the legal status of the property, confirming it was a surface water body, fully rehabilitated according to their legislation and no longer a pit, Swan Lake magically showed up on the December council agenda as an update memo. That mention on the agenda allowed residents to finally speak to the issue in council chambers after we had been denied a voice by our Mayor, yourself, Councillors Maskell, Napoli and Rosa in July of 2025 when 200 residents showed up at council to voice concerns. After finally being allowed to speak in December, you magically produced an already prepared motion to stop the project which magically passed with unanimous consent.
The site alteration bylaw that could allow Swan Lake to be filled should the next council not be vigilant in defending water protections for rural residents will come to the table soon. How can anyone trust you or Councillor Maskell, Napoli or Rosa to do the right thing for rural residents after what you put us all through for 6 months?”
Yours in democracy,
Keri Parfitt, Swan Lake advocate
