We asked the candidates the upcoming federal byelection in York-Simcoe the following questions:
Lake Simcoe Water Quality and Cold Water Fishery
According to the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, to improve the water quality of Lake Simcoe (e.g.,
reduction of weeds and algae blooms) and to protect our cold water fishery (e.g., lake trout and
whitefish) Lake Simcoe’s annual phosphorus loading must be reduced by 50% to 44 tonnes per year.
Streams that are affected by runoff (e.g., fertilizers, manure) from urban, rural and agricultural areas are
responsible for more than half of Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings. Dust from construction sites, pits
and quarries and agricultural lands is another major source of phosphorus.
Woodlands and wetlands help to regulate water quality by filtering out contaminants and absorbing
excess nutrients before they reach the Lake. The loss of woodlands, wetlands and natural shorelines has
led to increased phosphorus loadings into Lake Simcoe.
Unfortunately, the Government of Ontario’s phosphorus reduction strategy does not include a specific
plan for how to actually lower Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year.
(For more information please see: www.ontario.ca/page/lake-simcoe-phosphorus-reduction-strategy.)
Question #1: Should the Government of Canada provide funding to the Government of Ontario, the
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and/or municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed to
assist with the development and implementation of a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus
loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Lake Simcoe’s Forests, Wetlands and Meadows
According to the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed area should
consist of high-quality forests, wetlands and meadows.
Currently, approximately 39% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of natural cover. Unfortunately,
much of this land is highly fragmented and therefore does not provide high quality habitat and
migration corridors for animals, birds and plants.
Question #2: Should the Government of Canada provide funding to the Government of Ontario, the
Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and/or municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed to
assist with the development and implementation of a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of
Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high-quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?