Lois Brown (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

Yes, I believe strongly in the health of Lake Simcoe which is an important part of the ecosystem near the riding of Newmarket - Aurora.

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

The Conservative Party commitment to refund the Lake Simcoe Clean Up fund, which the current Liberal government chose not to renew, will be critical to help the restoration of important watershed areas around Lake Simcoe. During my 7 years as MP between 2008 and 2015 I was proud to help facilitate funding from Lake Simcoe Fund for activities in Newmarket-Aurora.

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?

The ongoing commitment to clean the lake and its surrounding watershed is critically important. I am proud to be part of the Conservative Party team that is committing $30M to this over the next 4 years. This will undoubtedly continue to reduce phosphorous levels and help the health of the local environment.

Walter Bauer (Green)

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

In general farming methods have to change to regenerative methods. We are using too much fertilizer.
In addition, all municipalities should ban the use of fertilizers on lawns.

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

Yes, we should all work together to improve the ecology. That said, I'm not sufficiently familiar with the Lake Simcoe watershed to know if your goal can be achieved. I can tell you, however, that the most important goal right now is addressing climate change.

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?

No Party's platform specifically speaks to Lake Simcoe concerns.

I would think, however, of all the Parties you would have the most faith in the Green Party's intentions. Here's the link to the current Green Party's ecological platform: https://www.greenparty.ca/en/platform/ecological-wisdom

Tony Van Bynen (Liberal)

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

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

The Liberal Party of Canada firmly believes in the protection and conservation of protected environmentally sensitive areas across Canada, including the Lake Simcoe watershed. Using natural climate solutions, such as planting more trees, is an effective path forward in the fighting against a changing climate and safeguarding our wetlands and meadows. That's precisely why, if elected, we are committing to planting 2 billion trees over the next 10 years. We want to make sure we are working together with the regional municipality, the provincial government, and other interested partners to supplement the great work that the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority is already doing to protect our local watershed.

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?

Canada is endowed with a beautiful natural rivers, lakes, and forests. Lake Simcoe is one of those - and we have a duty to protect and conserve all of them to ensure our kids and grandchildren can continue to enjoy Canada's natural beauty just as we have over the years. Our government is committed to protecting 25% of Canada's lands, and 25% of Canada's oceans by the year 2025. We will also be creating the Canada Water Agency, that will work with partners in the provinces and territories, with Indigenous communities, and scientists and experts to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean, and well-managed.

Yvonne Kelly (NDP)

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

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

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?

I am not aware of any specific plans that our federal party has for cleaning up Lake Simcoe but I am aware of the issues and the deep concerns of all residents in the area as well as those who care about the environment. As a New Democrat we are committed to enshrining in law the right to a healthy environment. Our federal Environmental Bill of Rights will ensure that all communities can enjoy a guarantee to clean water, land, and air. We have also committed to protecting 30% of our land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030 and backing those protections with funding and enforcement. Protecting and restoring the quality of the water in Lake Simcoe has important consequences for the residents, all species and the biodiversity in that area. If elected I will commit to pursuing full support for the clean-up of Lake Simcoe that is required and the work that needs to be done to restore the watershed and surrounding natural areas.