A group of residents in Lakeshore, Ontario, has launched a legal challenge against the municipality, seeking to resolve a contentious dispute over the ownership and maintenance of the severely deteriorated Couture Road.
Decades of Maintenance Suddenly Stops
For many years, the Municipality of Lakeshore provided regular services on Couture Road, including snow plowing, grass cutting, and necessary repairs. This longstanding practice came to an abrupt halt in 2020. Residents were subsequently informed that the roadway was not a public asset but privately owned, a claim that has sparked the current legal confrontation.
The road is critically important as it serves as the sole access point for approximately 30 households on Couture Beach Road. This community is located on a narrow strip of land sandwiched between the CN Rail line and Lake St. Clair.
The Legal Battle and Municipal Response
In a legal application filed on December 16, 2025, the residents are asking the court to declare Couture Road a "public highway" and to compel the municipality to resume its maintenance duties. The filing argues that Lakeshore "arbitrarily and without lawful justification" ceased upkeep, leading to a surface that "has broken down and become difficult to traverse."
One of the applicants, longtime resident Vince Renaud, emphasized the road's historical role. "This road has always been an access road for this community," Renaud stated. "Since they started building cottages along here it's been an access road. And nobody's ever stopped us, nobody's ever said, 'You can't use it.'"
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey declined to comment on the specifics of the case due to the ongoing litigation. In a statement, Mayor Bailey expressed hope for a resolution in early 2026, noting that the issue of private roads has been a council priority.
Unclear Ownership and a Path Forward?
The legal application contends that by maintaining the road for decades, the municipality effectively assumed jurisdiction over it. Affidavits from lifelong residents claim they were never told Couture Road was private, especially since the municipality maintained it but not the adjoining Couture Beach Road, which was known to be private.
The identity of the present-day owner remains murky, with the last known owner dating back to the 1920s. In a potential move toward a solution, Lakeshore council passed a resolution on November 18, 2025, directing administration to explore opportunities for voluntary transfers of private roads, including Couture Road, to the municipality. The resolution calls for reports on the costs to bring any transferred roads up to a basic service level.
This legal action underscores a growing tension in many municipalities between residents' expectations of service and the legal and financial responsibilities associated with roads that may not officially be part of the public network. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for similar disputes across the region.
