Mayor
Sandy Agnew (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.
The LSPP implementation needs to be rejuvenated.
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 was very disappointed to see our O-M rep move the motion to allow the development in the North Gwillimbury Forest.
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 fighting for more open and transparent government at all levels and agencies.
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.
Absolutely. Not only must development pay for development but it must show a Net Benefit to the residents of the municipality.
I fully support the efforts of the Lake Simcoe Watch and will continue to work toward their objectives.
Harry Hughes (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.
The Province needs to be an important partner for funding.
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.
Oro-Medonte has long recognized the importance of forests and wetlands. The Township's Official Plan has significant protections already in place. Protections for the Oro Moraine were put in decades ago after significant studies. We are the most heavily forested municipality in the watershed with more County Forests than other municipalities.
We continue to add to the tree cover. We have three environmental protection agencies providing services and oversite to development giving added protection to water sources and wetlands.
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 amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Yes.
Those who benefit from additional infrastructure should be paying the costs.
Deputy Mayor
Scott Jermey (candidate for Deputy 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.
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 amended to allow municipalities to recover 100% of their additional infrastructure costs to service new residential and commercial projects from their developers?
Maybe.
Councillor
John Thornton (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?
Yes.
Ian Veitch (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.
Developing and implementing a plan to reduce phosphorus loadings by a reasonable prescribed amount over a set period, such as shown, is important to protect our cold water fishery, reduce algae blooms, and other noxious plant growth, that would impact the quality of our significant lake Simcoe water resource. The new Council should be educated on this process early on to fully understand the best way to partner with the LSRCA and the province to achieve the desired outcome.
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.
Consultation with these authorities and other stakeholders would be important to develop and implement such a plan to have a reasonable amount of Lake Simcoe's watershed consist of high quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows.
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.
A priority platform item for me is ensuring that early, open, meaningful community engagement occur with respect to major planning approvals and any such permit applications that may impact Lake Simcoe's significant wetlands, floodplains and shorelines.
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.
Growth should pay for growth without having average tax payers subsidizing new development. The consequence of not having growth pay for growth can lead to municipalities taking on higher levels of debt, and/or underfunding reserve funds, that can result in large surprise capital expenditures down the road, impacting the community even more significantly.
Scott macpherson (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?
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.
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.
Shawn Scott (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.
The need to protect our resources, especially those that are finite is extremely important. That said we need the support of the Federal and Provincial governments to assist with funding.
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.
Oro-Medonte has established a reputation for endorsing and supporting our environment, based on my readings and research. Compared to other municipalities we are head and shoulders above others. That said, I am always open to dialogue to improve our protections with all levels of government.
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 would need more time, relying on research to completely respond to this question.
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 developers shape areas for growth based on, and utilizing our official plan, their fees should be assessed based on a number of various factors, including the long term fiscal gain to the Township. Each submission needs to be scrutinized and assessed accordingly.
Errin Dickins (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.
Documents I have read indicate that this goal has been set, though I wasnt clear on the timeline placed on it. Though the ultimate goal is identified as 44 tonnes per year I would have to research further to understand if 2026 is a reasonable timeline to accomplish such a significant reduction.
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.
Fully answering this question, for me, would require additional information on existing forests, wetlands and meadows. Locations of these etc. From what I understand from my own previous experience and knowledge of the LSRCA there are currently numerous regulations in place to accomplish this goal.
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.
A process should be in place to allow receipt and review of submissions within a timely manner. Everyone should have the opportunity to have their voice heard within a defined timeline.
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.
There are costs to doing business and municipalities are doing business. New development directly corresponds to increased tax base, aka revenue, and so it is an investment for future returns. To recover 100% of additional infrastructure costs would only serve to deter any future development launching a municipality into a period of stagnant growth.
Joan Kelly (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.
Due to the location of the watershed, municipalities should have significant impact on the decisions and future of the watershed. Working together on this type of initiative is the best way to implement change.
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.
It's challenging to regain high quality property surrounding the watershed considering the development within this area. However, maintaining and eventually increasing the quality within the watershed is a noble intention.
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.
There are already processes in place to regulate these types of submissions, and adding to these will decrease overall efficiency.
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.
We need to be careful to not make those costs so high that we decrease the number of residential and commercial projects. To do this may stunt the growth of our community and send potential opportunities elsewhere. However, the livelihood of constituents must remain at the forefront of all municipal decisions.