Mayor
Gord James (candidate for Mayor)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Maybe.
High levels of phosphorus are indeed an issue in most lakes. I would need more information in determining if this "cap" of 44 tonnes is sufficient.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Maybe.
Municipalities should partner on all plans that improve their local environments. Water tables do not recognize boundary fences.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
No.
This should be the responsibility of the municipal government.
4. Should the Development Charges Act amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Development should pay for development.
Brian Junkin (candidate for Mayor)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
No.
4. Should the Development Charges Act amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Andy Letham (candidate for Mayor)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Maybe.
Seems to make sense, although not an expert on phosphorous loads. Any reduction would be welcome and should be led by LSRCA as the regional authority.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
Again respecting the experts on the environment. Seems to make sense. The environment, like agricultural land needs to be protected as once it is gone it is gone forever in most cases. If 40% is the minimum recommended, then I am in full agreement.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
All applications are unique and should be treated so. Applications should be managed and reviewed based on their merit. A good review process will go a long way in letting the public know we are serious about protecting our shorelines and such, yet willing to hear any proposal brought forward.
4. Should the Development Charges Act amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Maybe.
Interesting question. A development charges study should be required, and is, to justify development charges on projected growth. My understanding is that the charges are tied into the future costs of growth related projects. If municipalities are allowed to charge more, at some point, houses and development becomes unaffordable as those costs get passed forward. It might be allowed, but doesn't necessarily mean it should be done. All municipalities are different and it should be at their discretion.
Deputy Mayor
Councillor and Regional Councillor
Duncan Gallacher (candidate for )
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
I think that it would be a great idea to reduce the phosphorus levels in lake Simcoe. Fortunately I think that agriculture is changing in a direction to reduce their own phosphorus levels per acre. Unfortunately the increase of urban growth and the changing of the provincial government might prevent any progress. You will have a tough road ahead.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
See above for comments.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Maybe.
Don't know enough on section 28 to comment on the precedent created when regulating a provincial act. I am worried that section 28 will be weakened over the next few years.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Maybe.
Would be ideal if this would be able to prorated to affect large builders more and affect smaller builders (limited by number of buildings a year) less. Could drive small companies out of the building market and increase monopolies in the housing markets. Could be more harm then good.
Rob Macklem (candidate for Councillor Ward 1)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
No.
Don Logan (candidate for Councillor Ward 1)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
Septic systems should be inspected and made sure they are not a threat.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
Migration and safety for the animals is so important. My area is less developed and it makes sense to set up those connections now while the land is still available.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
Wetlands, floodplains and shorelines need protection from development. Many residential developments act almost like strip mines in removing important vegetation and replacing it with lawns and houses.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Yes. A lot of damage has been done in the past, and now that people are making huge profits selling their houses in the city and moving north, the costs of protecting our local environment should be borne by them and the developers.
Stephen Slack (candidate for Councillor Ward 2)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
Not much to say on this other than the goal should be to remove introduced phosphorus from all human activities.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
Kawartha Conservation is engaged now and I would support continued engagement to manage areas within the City of Kawartha Lakes that are part of the Lake Simcoe Watershed.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
Yes .... however it needs to be integrated and in the case of Kawartha Lakes ... then the Conservation Authority (which should;d be using the same criteria) should be able to approve and Simcoe is notified.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
100% should be recovered either from the Developer or the Builder and possibly the Home owner in the form of a levy until recovered.
Leslie Mieszkowski (candidate for Councillor Ward 2)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
It's about time that municipalities and conservation authority start working together
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
I think it would be a positive step in the right direction if the Government of Ontario would get involved.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
Why not, can't think of any reason they wouldn't want to.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
The municipalities are the ones that will have to service the properties in the future .
Roger McInnis (candidate for Councillor Ward 3)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
I hope our new provincial government is committed to these important environmental issues. Each municipality must do all they can to keep Queens Park accountable.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
George Davidson (candidate for Councillor Ward 4)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Tracy Richardson (candidate for Councillor Ward 8)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
Yes.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Maybe.
Water is the most valuable resort right now and needs to be protected.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Maybe.
Depending on the project.
David Watson (candidate for Councillor Ward 8)
1. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorus loadings to 44 tonnes per year by 2026?
Yes.
Unfortunately, without some factual information 44 tonnes means nothing to me. What impact does 44% have on the regeneration of the lake?
2. Should municipalities in the Lake Simcoe watershed work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Government of Ontario to develop and implement a plan to ensure that by 2026, at least 40% of Lake Simcoe’s watershed consists of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows?
No.
3. Should the LSRCA establish a process for receiving and reviewing submissions from the public with respect to all Section 28 permit applications pertaining to Lake Simcoe’s wetlands, floodplains and shorelines?
Yes.
I worked for two CA's for 18 years in the area of engineering. While I appreciate and respect the Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways Regulation, there are some occasions when properly owners that reside in spill areas are too harshly treated. Using land that may flood during the 100 year storm by several millimetres of water should not be deemed unusable. Landowners are often treated with disrespect from regulation enforcement officials.
4. Should the Development Charges Act be amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Yes, but they need to hold that money in trust. Far too many occasions I have seen storm water or erosion abatement structures fall into disrepair and cause significant impact on downstream reaches of a watercourse. My man who I befriended through my position had his land significantly eroded when poorly and undersized storm water detention facilities failed and the municipality did nothing to repair the structure. The municipality would not listen and they ignored him. A once great farmer and outstanding gentleman went to his grave far too soon by being treated with contempt my the municipality.