Innisfil Candidates

Background Information

In 2009 the Government of Ontario released its Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, which called for Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to be reduced by 50% to 44 tonnes a year. According to the Plan, this is the reduction in pollution that is needed to protect the lake’s cold-water fishery and to prevent excessive weed growth and algae blooms.

However, the Government of Ontario has not funded or implemented a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year. Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution has instead gone up by 30% since 2009. (To learn more about how we can reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year, please read our Cleaning-Up Lake Simcoe report.)

Responses to the question:

Do you believe that Lake Simcoe’s municipalities should formally request that the Government of Ontario promptly fund and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year by 2030?


Mayor

Daniel davidson

Yes

We actually. Sent out a request similar about a month ago.


Deputy Mayor

Kenneth Fowler

Yes

Rob Nicol

Yes

Absolutely but, For those of whom who didn’t take the time to see the great work that many us who have already worked to advance this, I along with many other council members around Lake Simcoe brought forth motions to our individual councils suggesting that the Federal and Provincial Governments along with York Region separate the planned Phosphorus Reduction Facility for Lake Simcoe from the stalled Upper York Sewage Solution. This phosphorus reduction project funding was part of the Federal Government’s promises and has the capability to provide benefits to greatly advance these targets and protect our Lake. Council members around Lake Simcoe were able to get Provincial funding to continue to bring this facility on line and we just need the Federal Government to finally honor their pledges to reinstate the/or bring a new Lake Simcoe Clean type up fund as promised over the past many years for the ultimate health of Lake Simcoe and all of our communities.


Regional Councillor

No candidates have responded yet.

Councillor

Carol Griffith

Yes

Scott Jones

Yes

If elected, I will involve myself in the government position and review all documentation pertaining the phosphorous pollution.

Jake Tucker

Yes

Linda Zanella

Yes

Naz Obredor

Undecided

I do not know enough about this currently to make an informed comment.

Jeanette Luchese Jacobs

Undecided

Thank you so much for providing this valuable information; I volunteer with South Simcoe Streams Networks in restoration work, revitalization and plantings to create buffers for our creeks. I believe small steps forward are essential, and Innisfil could benefit from providing seed monies to South Simcoe Streams Networks. Ensuring they can continue the excellent work they do that ultimately aids in the reduction of phosphorous levels and protects our watershed. I find it interesting that our Mayor, Lynn Dollin, didn’t “…call for the development and implementation of a plan ….” as Innisfil is omitted (first page of the brochure) and would like to discuss that with our Mayor.

Jennifer Richardson

Yes

Steven Fishman

Yes

Lisa Maxwell

Yes

Andrew Harrigan

Yes

Absolutely – all levels of leadership need to shift their ideologies to that of being solution focused not deficit based – too often we have the decision makers at the proverbial table, yet our said leadership fails to lead and make a decision. If there is an identified issue, which there is here, then it is the responsibility of the ‘state’ to ensure protection for our habitat.

Fred drodge

Yes

Kevin Eckhardt

Yes

Whether a municipality or provincial government it is important for all levels of government to understand and implement changes to pollution to our lakes and waters. I wouldn’t be opposed to municipalities requesting assistance to tack pollution concerns.

Megan Varga

Yes

I absolutely do. Wastewater treatment plants and clean water treatment plants need to have their levels reviewed. Also, the natural coverage needs to become a priority to help reduce the levels. We only have one chance to keep the lake healthy. If it gets anymore polluted it will never get back to where it needs to be.

Lisa Maxwell

Yes

Alex Waters

Undecided

Anil Dutta

Yes