Barrie-Innisfil – Lake Simcoe Watch

John Brassard (Conservative)

Question #1: Should the Government of Canada work with the Government of Ontario, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and/or municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?

Yes

A new Conservative government led by Andrew Scheer will bring back the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund. We’ll work with you to restore fish and wildlife populations, plant trees, and reduce harmful sewage and waste dumps into watersheds.
This is part of the Conservative Government’s Real Plan to Protect the Environment and will ensure that Lake Simcoe – the jewel of Barrie-Innisfil, will remain vibrant and healthy for future generations.

Question #2: Should the Government of Canada work with the Government of Ontario, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and/or municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high-quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?

Yes

Our $30-million commitment to reinstate the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund will deliver significant results for Lake Simcoe and build a healthier and sustainable watershed for future generations. The Clean-Up Fund – which was cancelled by Justin Trudeau in 2017, assisted local groups to plant over 72,000 grass, trees, and shrubs; stabilize stream and lake banks; and make measurable improvements to quality of Lake Simcoe.

Question #3: The Conservative Party has promised to establish a Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund. Other parties have not said specifically how they will clean up the Lake. If you are a Conservative Party candidate, please state by how many tonnes per year the proposed Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund will reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings by 2026. If you are a candidate with another party, what is your party’s plan for cleaning up the Lake?

Our Real Plan for the environment includes reinstating the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up fund that was cancelled by Justin Trudeau in 2017. I believe that Lake Simcoe is truly the jewel of Barrie-Innisfil and I'm proud that the Conservative government will commit $30 million over four years for stewardship projects to conserve fish and wildlife populations and reduce phosphorus levels.

Bonnie North (Green)

Yes

The Green Party values of ecological wisdom and sustainability are integral components of Green Party policy and decision making. This means government has a duty to regulate business practices, commercial products, and behaviours to dramatically reduce the current burden on ecosystems, species and people. As a Green Party MP, I will not be subject to whipped voting in parliament. I therefore intend to fully support reducing phosphorus loading to 44 tonnes per year by 2026.

Yes

At the provincial level, Greens have already demonstrated their commitment to water protection through the Paris Galt Moraine Conservation Act. Green MPP Mike Schreiner’s commitment to working cooperatively across party lines was the key factor in having this bill successfully pass second reading on Ontario’s legislature.

A Green government will ensure all levels of government are able to work cooperatively on issues that cross jurisdictional lines, by establishing a Council of Canadian Governments. This council will bring together federal, provincial, municipal and Indigenous Peoples to work together at an inclusive policy-making table.

N/A for me, but with additional comments as follows:

As mentioned earlier, The Council of Canadian Governments is ideally suited to ensure that a meaningful clean-up plan is developed for Lake Simcoe. Furthermore, as your Green MP in Barrie-Innisfil, and like all Green MPs, I am also committed to working collaboratively with members of all parties, to address the unique needs and concerns Lake Simcoe and its watershed.

Lisa-Marie Wilson (Liberal)

Yes

The Liberal government has been working with provinces and territories to project the health of our lakes and watersheds. There are a number of programs and funding streams focused on water and fertilizer management issues. In 2018, the Liberal government launched the Canadian Agricultural Partnership which contains many programs to help producers address soil and water conservation, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. For example, funding is available to support various management practices including the establishment of shelterbelts, buffer trips, and perennial cover crops to help build resilience in soils and reduce erosion

Yes

The Liberal government is working with many stakeholders to build a cleaner and more prosperous future that will help Canadians save energy, reduce pollution and safeguard our natural environment. That involves concrete steps to transition to a net zero economy by 2050, cut taxes of green technology companies by half, plant 2 billion trees and continue to work with partners across the country. For example, millions of dollars have been allocated to protect the Great Lakes from toxic and nuisance algae as well as harmful chemicals. In Budget 2018, we announced $1.3 billion over five years to support Canada's biodiversity, including $500 million to create a new Nature Fund to protect species at risk, expand wildlife areas and sanctuaries, and manage protected areas. The $10 million Living Laboratories Initiative will bring farmers, scientists and other partners together to develop, test and monitor beneficial management practices in a real life context.

If elected, I am committed to working with all level of governments, relevant stakeholders, and the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change to ensure adequate resources are allocated to cleanup efforts.

Pekka Reinio (NDP)

Yes

Cleaning up lakes across the country and reducing phosphorous loading is a top priority for the NDP. In consultation with our First Nations partners, we can protect our lakes and streams under a National Bill of Environmental Rights that would be appropriately funded and enforced. A National Bill of Environmental Rights could support provinces, municipalities and local conservation authorities in establishing stream and shoreline rehabilitation guidelines, ensure that treatment plants discharge water that is free of micro-plastics, chemicals, and will not cause temperature fluctuations in our lakes. We will commit to preserving 30% of our land and freshwater across the country by 2030. Our NDP climate change action plan will address larger environmental concerns that could affect our lakes: rising water temperatures, flooding, increased storm water run-off, and green algae blooms. The NDP has committed $4.5 billion over four years to assist communities that have experienced extreme weather events, and to help communities adapt their infrastructure to address the changing climate. Finally, our NDP platform has designated $15 billion to reduce our GHG emissions by 38% below 2005 levels by 2030.