Innisfil – Lake Simcoe Watch

Mayor

Stan Daurio (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.

I don't know enough about where we are, what our existing targets are, what progress we are currently making in such improvements, and the cost of achieving the target.

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.

Same as the previous answer; I need more information about where we are, what current targets are, and how well we're doing with current plans, and what the cost is of achieving the target.

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.

I need more information; I don't even know what a Section 28 permit is. If what you are trying to establish is how ignorant I am about these formulas, you've achieved your objective.From my perspective, we need someone else formulating the questionnaire.

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.

I thought we already receive 100% of hard services costs and 90% of soft services costs..

Barb Baguley (candidate for Mayor)

Yes.

I think many are aware of phosphorus coming from fertilizer but the issue of dust from construction sites is a problem that could and should be addressed in the development and builder agreements with developers to reduce a major source of phosphorus.

Yes.

I believe it is necessary to work together, with all municipalities surrounding Lake Simcoe to work toward this important goal.

Yes.

I don't know enough about the processes in place but I believe that we must have processes in place to allow fair and equitable access to decision makers.

Yes.

Absolutely. It is unfair and unrealistic to expect existing residents and businesses to continually carry the burdens of growth.

Deputy Mayor

Steven Fishman (candidate for Deputy Mayor)

Yes.

The current plan that's in place by the Ontario government will not reach the goal of reducing phosphorus to 44 tonnes per year. As a result, all parties involved will need to work together, and come up with a solid plan that can then be presented to the new Ontario government, and also the Federal government as all levels of government would need to work together to hopefully exceed the targets before 2026.

Yes.

To ensure that we achieve we meet or exceed the 40% target. The issue is that when a developer gets turned down by a local council, they usually go to appeal the decision to the OMB. The majority of the time, the OMB sides with the developer. We need as a group, to lobby the Provincial government to change the rules surrounding the OMB, and to take into account that our watershed needs protecting.

Yes.

I'm in full agreement that their needs to be a process of receiving and reviewing submissions from the public. We also need to find ways to get more of the public involved in the decision process.

Yes.

Yes, Yes, and Yes. Developers need to be more responsible when it comes to development in our communities. For example when a developer decides to develop their property, and build hundreds or homes, they should also be responsible for the costs involved to hook up those residents who are on septic and well water that live within a 1 km radius of any new major developement.

Henry Kooistra (candidate for Deputy Mayor)

Yes.

Daniel Davidson (candidate for Deputy Mayor)

Yes.

Maybe.

Yes.

Angela Gravelle (candidate for Deputy Mayor)

Yes.

Given the increase in population numbers for communities surrounding Lake Simcoe within this timeframe, it will be critically important to maintain the health of this valuable asset.

Yes.

Yes, considering this is part of one large eco-system.

Maybe.

I think it would depend on the nature of the application and the opportunity for public comment within the bigger context of the planning application that would reside with the municipality. However, there may be certain situations where a public comment process could be helpful.

Maybe.

I do support the requirement that development charges should recover the cost of municipal infrastructure. However, I also recognize that there is a balancing act which impacts the municipality’s ability to recover 100% of those costs. I would be in-favour of further consultation and re-examination of the development charges legislation to ensure that other costs which are impacted by growth are carefully considered. Building complete communities goes well beyond the traditional infrastructure considerations which we have previously relied upon. Today health and wellness centres, hospices, affordable housing, public transportation hubs and other similar community/social issues form the cornerstone of building what we consider a complete community. The ability of local government to collect these costs through the traditional tax levy is fast approaching a saturation point. At the same time we need to be practical and pragmatic about the question of affordability of our housing and creating employment opportunities! We have in fact upper and lower tier governments, along with the various school boards each eyeing development charges, so with all of this layering on we have to consider the question of affordability and the implications the totality of the development charges has on both housing and employment opportunities in our communities.

Councillor and Regional Councillor

Linda Zanella (candidate for Councillor Ward 1)

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.

Kevin Eisses (candidate for Councillor Ward 1)

Maybe.

I am a farmer who grows crops and raises dairy animals. I know the concerns regarding phosphorus in our lakes. It is a very complicated issue as to where those sources of excess P are coming from. I do not have the information to know if 44 tonnes is too much or too little. Everyone needs to do their part however to manage phosphorus in a better way for our lakes and watersheds.

Maybe.

There has to be more emphasis on wetland and meadows, forests and eco systems that protect and filter runoff into our lakes. I do not know if 40% is enough or too much. I think that proper land use is important and that there is a balance we must strike between agricultural, urban and environmentally sensitive lands.

Maybe.

I do not know what a section 28 permit application is.

Yes.

I think the municipality should be allowed to recoup their development costs without affecting the level of municipal taxation. They should have the tools needed to service the town without having to substantially increase taxes.

Donna Orsatti (candidate for Councillor Ward 3)

Yes.

Maybe.

Support the need to protect our forested areas and wetlands. Would need more clarification on 'high quality' definition for quality/type of trees and/or design?. I would like to encourage developers submitting planning in surrounding areas to be sympathetic to the surrounding area and create designs that incorporate protecting our treed areas, wetlands. Less removal of forested areas, encourage more natural trails, education on use and protection.

Maybe.

I apologize I have not made myself aware of Section 28 - but will do so moving forward.

Maybe.

Consideration for Affordable Housing.

Bill mcconnell (candidate for Councillor Ward 4)

Yes.

Alex Waters (candidate for Councillor Ward 4)

Yes.

ONLY QUESTION IS THIS A REALISTIC TARGET. TARGETS WITHOUT SOLID SCIENCE BASE STRATEGIC PLAN WITH FULL COST ACCOUNTING IS JUST ANOTHER CLIMATE CHANGE TARGET THAT NO ONE MEETS.

Maybe.

THERE ARE TOO MANY UNKNOWNS WITH THIS QUESTION. I AM ALL FOR IMPROVING NATURAL HABITATS BUT I WANT TO MAKE AN INTELLIGENT DECISION BASED ON SCIENCE. IE YOU SAY THEY ARE UNCONNECTED. WELL THE LAKE SIMCOE WATERSHED IS HUGE. A PROPER ASSESSMENT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED TO GET A BETTER PICTURE OF THE SITUATION .
ONCE THE ASSESSMENT IS COMPLETE IT NEEDS TO BE VETTED THROUGH PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH INFORMS A STRATEGIC PLAN ON HOW TO GET THERE AND WHAT IS THE COST? AFTER THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS COMPLETE THEN ANOTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATION TO HELP FOCUS THE FINAL REPORT.

Maybe.

YES IF THE SUBMISSIONS ARE SUBMITTED UNDER REGISTERED GROUPS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE ON THE ISSUE. IE LAKE SIMCOE WATCH, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ETC. INDIVIDUALS MAKING SUBMISSIONS CAN SOMETIMES BE TOO PERSONAL AND LACK THE EXPERTISE TO SWAY EXPERTS ON A PANEL. ITS NICE PEOPLE CARE AND WANT TO BE HEARD BUT UNINFORMED VIEWS DO NOT HELP MOVE AN ISSUE FORWARD.

Yes.

HOWEVER MUNICIPALITIES NEED SOME FLEXIBILITY TO NEGOTIATE WITH DEVELOPERS BECAUSE ONCE YOU HAVE FULL COST ACCOUNTING DEVELOPERS WILL STICK TO THE LETTER OF WHAT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND MAY NOT BE OPEN TO NEW INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT REQUESTS THAT A PROGRESSIVE MUNICIPALITY MAY WHAT TO ASK DEVELOPERS TO INCLUDE. IE TOWN WANT MORE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES, MORE GREEN SPACE, PLAY AREAS IN A PARTICULAR AREA.

Kenneth Fowler (candidate for Councillor Ward 5)

Yes.

I believe that even striving to reach this goal is far better than sitting back and doing nothing. We need to look into alternatives that will have a far less direct impact on the environment.

Yes.

By preserving and adding to our wetlands and forests, Lake Simcoe’s ecology will be able to maintain its existing ecosystem which supports all the town and cities along its shorelines.

Yes.

I don’t think Section 28 is stringent enough, however it is a good start. As to involving the public, I would like the process to be reviewed by those who have sufficient knowledge on the subject.

Yes.

Stable and well planned growth would address these issues before they arose. Funds coming back into town coffers, eases the burden on many families.

Jeffrey Rice (candidate for Councillor Ward 5)

Yes.

authorities should work together to reduce phosphorus in lake simcoe . the shoreline and related shoreline areas have to be monitored to reduce phosphorus and an enforced plan is needed

Yes.

yes very reasonable

Yes.

the towns have to keep up with the massive growth thats being experiened .

Marc Seguin (candidate for Councillor Ward 6)

Yes.

No.

Carolyn Payne (candidate for Councillor Ward 6)

Yes.

Hopefully less than 44 tonnes. 44 tonnes is the limit now so in another 8 years we may have further phosphorus damage.

Yes.

Innisfil does work with LSRCA when working with developers to ensure there is measures in place to keep our waters safe. Unfortunately the last decade more development has taken place and unfortunately will continue as Innisfil is designated as an Urban area and not agricultural. The Province of Ontario has stated that our overall population must grow to enable us to receive the financial funding we require to take the burden off the residents.

Yes.

This process is being done now and I am sure LSRCA will continue to receive public consultations on all developments Section 28 applications.

No.

I am saying No to possibly maybe, only because if we charge the full 100% of infrastructure costs we could be loosing the needed developments in our area. (comment in #2 re. no government funding)

Rob Nicol (candidate for Councillor Ward 7)

Yes.

I say yes, but looking at the past five year average loads of 85 tonnes per year, truthfully we would need to first address both the East and West Holland River's contributions. Also, in looking at 15 years of historical data, I don't know that almost cutting the loads in half in 7 years is completely feasible.

Maybe.

Unfortunately, as I am not sure of what portion of the watershed is currently "connected forests or wetlands..." therefore, I don't know what percentage should be the target.

Maybe.

My understanding of the Conservation Act as pertaining to section 28 does not permit third party status by the public but, insures that all meetings are held in public. Therefore the entire act would have to be changed and not just for the LSRCA.

Yes.

I believe most towns or municipalities, if not already, are becoming aware that the only way to sustain and/or add to the levels of infrastructure for new growth is that they are going to have to be fully funded by the benefitting developments.

Don Tata (candidate for Councillor Ward 7)

Yes.

I think it is very important that all governmental bodies corrodinate their efforts to work towards a viable and realistic plan to reduce the negative environmental affects of our lake.

Yes.

Same as above

Yes.

Maybe.