The corporate defendant pleaded guilty to altering an archaeological site without a licence under the Ontario Heritage Act after demolishing a building on a property containing a highly significant Saugeen First Nation archaeological and burial site.
The court accepted a joint submission emphasizing reconciliation, which included the defendant voluntarily transferring the property to the Saugeen First Nation, making a $30,000 donation to stabilize the site, and paying a $3,500 fine.
The sentencing hearing was held on the territory of the Saugeen First Nation to facilitate community participation and healing.
