Mayor
John Taylor (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.
We must reduce phosphorous levels in Lake Simcoe through infrastructure improvements, offsetting programs and any other means possible. We must be sure to set goals that are achievable as we continue to pursue this important environmental challenge.
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 LSRCA has a reforestation strategy that will form the basis of success in this endeavour.
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.
The municipal planning process is the where public engagement should occur and any application must go through this process and it includes comments from the LSRCA. The public have a further appeal opportunity through the LPAT.
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.
Yes municipalities need every opportunity to recover costs through Development charges. A major area of progress related to this topic is the Phosphorous Offset Program that collects money from developers to address the impact of development on Lake Simcoe and the watershed as a whole. This program is a major achievement and the envy of many jurisdictions across North America.
Joe Wamback (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.
Without question or reservation.
Lake Simcoe is vital to the enjoyment and health of our communities. Phosphorous loading is not the only issue that needs to be addressed. Untreated sanitary sewage and storm water discharge must also be considered and commitment plans implemented.
Storm water discharge includes winter road salts that have a deleterious effect in Lake Simcoe. Alternate de-icing methods must be reviewed and considered. Discarded pharmaceuticals also pose a significat risk to the health of the lake and a serious education plan must be implemented. There are many other sources of contamination and enforcement must be expanded and made mandatory
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.
Problematic is the definition of meadows. We must ensure that the definition of Meadows must not include farm factories and farm stock grazing lands. Animal waste and fertilizer use must be reviewed investigated and policies developed.
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.
No comments as this is a no brainer
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.
Not only recover the additional infrastructure costs but also bonds should be in place to recover future excess maintenance costs associated with poor design and construction and latent defects discovered after the warrantee periods expire.
Deputy Mayor
Councillor and Regional Councillor
Bill Kukulewich (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.
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.
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.
Jack Zangari (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.
It is imperative to the basic survival of all areas surrounding Lake Simcoe that the lake remain healthy. Phosphorus overloading has been going up and up over the years, despite plans to reduce this loading. If elected, I will push all levels of government to plan to reduce levels by 44 tonnes per year, prior to 2026.
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.
This is imperative to the health of Lake Simcoe, as mentioned above. Phosphorus has to be reduced and a greater planting of trees and meadows would go a long way in ensuring Lake Simcoe is around for generations to come. This must be done in the very near future.
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.
Anything to do with the future health of Lake Simcoe should come under scrutiny to make sure it is in the best interests of the lake.
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.
I firmly believe that new residents to any area, should pay for their infrastructure, not the older residents, who have lived in the area for years. This goes for commercial developments also. And I would go one step further, that some of the monies from development charges to the LSRCA to cover the on-going maintenance of Lake Simcoe and its watershed.
Ron Eibel (candidate for Councillor Ward 5)
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.
A continued effort needs to made to ensure that phosphorous loadings are reduced to keep algae in check. I recall from my own tiny experience keeping an outdoor pond's algae under control to keep my koi fish thriving as a thing that required constant diligence. Whereas I could simply cut the ponds algae levels by pumping water through a contained UV light, the rich runoff that feeds the lake is on an infinite scale.
On a local level one of the proposals I have for Newmarket is all new builds both residential and commercial require rain gardens as part of any new design plans and also a push to make more people aware of the good rain gardens can do for our at times sewer systems. Sadly during my campaigning so far I have seen only one actual rain garden.
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.
Intensification is all over York region. Knowing that some green spaces are going to be repurposed for new sub-divisions and then more sub-divisions and again - a line has to be drawn and drawn strongly. Rather than trying to fight to preserve spaces as individual wards and townships a combined group effort of all levels of government is needed to bring things forward as a unified group - and hopefully quickly.
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 am surprised this is not already in effect. Yes - a process should be established.
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.
I would like it to be 100% but keep in mind that once a correction in the recent housing boom becomes more apparent 100% may not be feasible.
Joan Stonehocker (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.
In addition to the LSRCA we need to ensure that the Chippewas of Georgina Island. This process needs to recognize and include the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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?
Maybe.