Charlene Biggerstaff (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.

The Government of Ontario, LSRCA and the Municipalities of Lake Simcoe’s watershed need to work together and set strong targets which will continue to reduce phosphorus loading for the lake and it's habitats in order for it to have the ability to return to better health.

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.

The Government of Ontario, LSRCA and the Municipalities of Lake Simcoe’s have the capability to develop and implement a plan to increase high quality green spaces that will aid in the overall watershed success.

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.

The LSRCA is always evolving policy and processes, section 28 permits have the opportunity to be relooked at and adjusted.

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.

Changing the Development Charges Act to increase the recovery rate to 100% of additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects, would certainly aid in the finical gap that most Municipalities find themselves in.

Wayne Phillips (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.

Support 100%, challenge here is how we do this in a cost effective way for the taxpayers.

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.

Good news is we are already at 39%, challenge is how to bridge fragmented land.

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.

LSRA need to by more focused on protecting our wetland and ensuring resident input is part of the process.

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.

This may affect the ability for a purchaser to afford a home as I think the development charges would be reflected in the purchase price.

Greta Zinck (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.

We need to ensure sustainability in our lakes and surrounding area. How and what we do today will most definitely affect what our families and their families will have left to deal with if we do not start taking a more proactive role to ensure the life and quality of our lakes

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.

Absolutely, this is the time now to become proactive to ensure the quality of life is sustainable for the future and not when we are in a more reactive state trying to clean up after the damage has been done

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.

Absolutely, not all applications can be viewed the same or fall within the same submissions, each and every one of the applications received should be reviewing carefully to ensure the safety and protection of our wetlands, floodplains and shorelines. It cannot be viewed as a catchall.

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.

As I am not 100% up to speed on this, I have said maybe however it is my believe the municipality should recover most if not all of the costs to service any new residential and commercial projects from the developers. The cost recovery cannot just be on the taxpayers.

Frank Sebo (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?

Maybe.

Certainly we need o reduce phosphorus levels and work to keep salt levels down as well. Lake Simcoe is our most important natural asset.

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.

Certainly it is important to ensure that Lake Simcoe's watershed is mamaged wisely.
A close working relationship with the LSRCA and
municipalities in the watershed is vital to
accomplishing this.

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.

The link between the public and the LSRCA is. the municipality in which they reside. As elected representatives of the public it is our job to watch out for our resident's best interests and the best interests of our respective Municipalities, at the Council table and at the LSRCA.
Having said that, if there is a way to effectively improve public engagement in the process, I am all for it.

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.

Developmemt charges enable
municipalities to pay for necessary infrastructure associated with new development. and help to offset costs related to improving infrastructure that benefits all residents. To establish what
constitutes 100% is a challenge.

Robert Grossi (candidate for Regional Councillor)

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.

Naomi Davison (candidate for Regional Councillor)

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.

Reducing the current levels of phosphorus is a shared goal. Additional resources must be put forward to decrease the phosphorus loading, and improve current lake levels.

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.

We must continue to move forward in improving the quality of our forests, meadows and wetlands, and these must be connected via wide links where possible.

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.

There should be public input sought for all developments, including section 28 permits. Our council has advocated to the province this term to make adjustments to the process, and in the future

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.

Existing residents should not be shouldering the cost of new growth. Development charges should be adjusted so that they truly pay for the full cost of new development.