Simcoe North – Lake Simcoe Watch

Bruce Stanton (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

The increase in urban development, invasive species and other challenges have affected the health of the watershed over the years. We must come together to protect the vital natural resource that so many of us rely on and call home. The Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund is an important part of Canada’s Conservatives’ A Real Plan to Protect the Environment. The quality of our local environment impacts our lives, and Canadians care deeply about what happens in their own backyard.

My Leader Andrew Scheer, my Lake Simcoe Conservative colleagues and myself, stand behind our commitment to continue the work started in 2008 that was not renewed by the Liberal government. We will invest an additional 30 million dollars over 4 years to continue the stewardship work by local environmental organizations including the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority.

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

Canada’s Conservatives’ have a proud legacy of community engagement and consultation to get important environmental projects done. Canada’s Conservatives have a plan that will conserve and protect our air, land, water, and wildlife. The creation of a cleaner, greener natural environment is a pillar of A Real Plan to Protect the Environment.

The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is dedicated to community-sponsored, science-based projects that ensure a healthier and more sustainable watershed including the reduction of phosphorus levels. Seven municipalities use Lake Simcoe as a source for their drinking water systems and 20 communities lie within the lake’s watershed. We will work with the Province and regional stakeholders to create community-driven projects that will improve water quality and reduce phosphorus in the lake, so that it will continue to serve the more than 450,000 that live within 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's Conservatives are the only federal party to make a specific commitment to cleaning up Lake Simcoe and to have demonstrated our commitment to protecting its vitality in the past. The re-reinstatement of the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund will continue this essential work.

Valerie Powell (Green)

Yes

I support and trust that your organization has done the research to support the numbers in this recommendation. The Green Party would work with all levels of government to achieve this goal and to continue to monitor Lake Simcoe and the contributing water shed for other threats including increased water temperature.. We recognize the important role of staff and volunteers/citizen scientists with organizations like Rescue Lake Simcoe and the Conservation Authorities surrounding Lake Simcoe. These stakeholders should be part of the plan to reduce the phosphorous levels and mitigate other environmental threats.
There are many stakeholders who benefit from and need to protect the lake – farmers, rural and urban residents, businesses and tourists. Thank you for your ongoing advocacy.

Yes

And this must be done to not only protect Lake Simcoe but also to slow the possibility of increased flooding for residents. Protecting the forests will also balance our carbon emissions which will ultimately protect Lake Simcoe and all lakes.
The Green Party will look for solutions with all levels of government and engage the Indigenous communities that share this lake. We support working with the farmers, the city, the townships, the province and the nation, to create and fund a plan to protect fresh water in Canada
The goal is to protect Lake Simcoe and when people realize there is also an economic benefit they will be more eager to get on board.

Green Party environmental and ecological policies focus on protection of species and habitats, including fresh water, natural wetlands, and forests. Lake Simcoe would be included in our national plan. As a local MP I would work with MPs from all parties to address the need to protect Lake Simcoe – a natural gem in a densely populated region.

Gerry Hawes (Liberal)

Yes

The health of Lake Simcoe and its watershed is an important concern to communities across Central Ontario, especially here in Simcoe North

Protection of inland lakes is primarily a responsibility of the provincial government which is why the provincial government passed the Lake Simcoe Protection Act in 2008. The federal government is responsibility for navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway, which runs through the northern end of Lake Simcoe from Lock 41 at Gamebridge to the Atherley Narrows.

While the province has the primary power and responsibility for the protection of the Lake Simcoe Watershed, in addition to the new Canada Water Agency there are other ways the Government of Canada can work with municipalities, the Government of Ontario and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority on this important matter. For instance, in 2017 the Liberal Government established the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) to help provinces, territories, and municipalities make immediate repairs to water and wastewater infrastructure. This was a very important step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of our inland lakes and watersheds and preserving local ecosystems. Through this program, the Federal Government has helped fund projects that will aid in reducing the amount of phosphorus reaching Lake Simcoe. For instance, $1.5 million in funding was provided to the City of Orillia to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant.

As the new Member of Parliament for Simcoe North, I will ensure that the Lake Simcoe Watershed gets the full attention of the federal government and benefits fully from federal supports that are available.

Yes

This is a laudable goal, and one that I would strongly support as the new Member of Parliament for Simcoe North. With the exception of federal crown lands, land use in Ontario is governed by provincial legislation and regulation. While the federal government does not have the primary power or responsibility over land use on the Lake Simcoe Watershed, I would advocate strongly for the federal government to support and partner with the provincial government, area municipalities and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority towards reaching the goal of at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consisting of high-quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows. As part of the Climate Action Plan the Liberals have committed to planting 2 billion trees, which could provide important support in meeting this goal.

In view of the growing threat of climate change to our freshwater resources, the Liberals will move forward with the new Canada Water Agency. This agency will work together with the provinces and territories, Indigenous communities, local authorities, scientists and others to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean and well-managed. As the new Member of Parliament, I will ensure that Lake Simcoe and its watershed are central to the agency’s work in our region. While the province has the primary power and responsibility for the protection of the Lake Simcoe Watershed, in addition to the new Canada Water Agency there are other ways the Government of Canada can work with municipalities, the Government of Ontario and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority on this important matter. For instance, in 2017 the Liberal Government established the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) to help provinces, territories, and municipalities make immediate repairs to water and wastewater infrastructure. This was a very important step towards safeguarding the health and well-being of our inland lakes and watersheds and preserving local ecosystems. Through this program, the Federal Government has helped fund projects that will aid in reducing the amount of phosphorus reaching Lake Simcoe. For instance, $1.5 million in funding was provided to the City of Orillia to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant. In April 2016, the Liberal government committed $197 million to enhance ocean and freshwater science activities. The government is also conducting scientific research and monitoring activities in lakes and rivers, which will improve Canada’s understanding of freshwater ecosystems and protect the environment. Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership – a five-year, $3 billion investment by federal, provincial, and territorial governments – Canada and Ontario are supporting on-farm environmental stewardship actions to enhance water quality and soil health across Ontario including by reducing phosphorus runoff from farms, a significant issue in the Lake Simcoe Watershed.

Stephen Makk (PPC)

Undecided

I basically understand how phosphorous pollution degrades bodies of water, and how difficult it is to remove phosphorous from lakebeds. (I have a cottage on Georgian Bay). Before taking any legislative action I would hear your organization's input. I would also rely on scientific and engineering input from a variety of authoritative bodies independent of your organization, including Environment Canada, NRC and leading University researchers. I am not qualified to comment on whether 44 tonnes is a reasonable loading, or whether 2026 is a feasible time goal. I agree with the need to prevent phosphorous pollution, and understand how it leads to a trade-off between water quality and the interests of many farmers. Most enforcement must be done at the local level (ensuring septic systems close to lakes are adequate, etc.)

Undecided

I understand the vital role of wetlands and other "non-productive" land uses in our ecology. These should be preserved where possible when other options exist. I am not qualified to comment on whether 40% is the right number, or whether achieving that goal by 2026 is feasible. There are few areas of federal law that affect this. Land use is a provincial and municipal matter. I would support responsible development of federally owned properties within the watershed (Base Borden) and would encourage well engineered sanitation, drainage and pollution avoidance on federally controlled properties.

PPC has no Simcoe-specific platform for lake cleanup.

There are many different environmental remediation projects, including brownfields) underway or being proposed across Canada. PPC would manage funding within a tight balanced budget. I would make sure that any Lake Simcoe cleanup projects are fairly prioritized within this long list. PPC would tend to favour policies and programs that are applied equitably across Canada and are of as general as possible effect. Canadians want all their bodies of water to be clean. Personally, I certainly want to continue to catch healthy fish in my yearly Simcoe ice-fishing expeditions.