The future restoration and well being of Lake Simcoe is at the centre
of an initiative announced this afternoon at Queen’s Park by
Environment Minister John Gerretsen. The province will ask citizens
and scientists for their input on how to best protect Lake Simcoe’s
water quality for future generations.
The first step will be
the preparation of a discussion paper that will include a variety of
measures designed to enhance the lake’s health, such as financial
assistance to farmers and other groups to develop stewardship
activities.
A Lake Simcoe science advisory committee will be created.
“I
want our strategy for protecting Lake Simcoe to set the gold standard
for creating sustainable communities that safeguard the environment
they depend on and enjoy,” Mr. Gerretsen said.
New interim
limits on phosphorous coming from municipal and industrial sewage
plants will be in effect Tuesday. These limits will help protect Lake
Simcoe from its primary threat while the government continues to
develop its long-term protection strategy, Mr. Gerretsen said.
York-Simcoe MPP Julia Munro said she supports the plan, but added the government must provide special funding to institute it.
"Protecting
Lake Simcoe must be a priority for the government, but if the province
is going to institute special requirements on Lake Simcoe watershed
municipalities to improve their sewer systems, it must provide them
with special funding," she said.
“If Lake Simcoe was a real
priority for the government, they would not spend all their time
preparing studies about the lake, they would start writing cheques."
York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan argued further study of the lake is unnecessary.
"The
time for study is over. It is now time to act to clean up Lake Simcoe,"
he said. "I call upon the provincial government to match the $30
million in federal funding the federal government announced last month
to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe."
Public consultation is “a very critical step” in the process, Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll said.
“It’s
not about money; it’s about getting the best advice possible. The
scientists and public will advise us on what the legislation should
contain and how we plan for new development with a new Lake Simcoe Act
in place.
“We will benefit from the consultation with the
experts and the people who live around the lake who have a lot to say
about how the lake should be protected. Our government perceives this
as a very serious issue. We will learn from the people who know what
Lake Simcoe needs.”
— with files from Jay Gutteridge