Georgina · East Gwillimbury · King  .
 
Bradford West Gwillimbury · Innisfil  .

In the past two weeks I've announced two of the three dozen projects receiving federal money this summer to clean-up Lake Simcoe's environment.  After decades of talk without results, a federal government is finally taking action for this critical gem.

One project involves tree-planting along the badly degraded Holland River, to prevent erosion, take up phosphorus (slowing negative eutrophication effects in the Lake), naturalizing river edge and providing shade to drop water temperatures, restoring cold water fishery habitat.

Another was for shoreline naturalization and planting in Kitchener Park in Orillia.

Both projects demonstrated the positive effect of Federal funds in getting people working together, in co-operation.  On one project, the Federal Government is joined by York Region, East Gwillimbury, the Conservation Authority, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation, and a private landowner in the physical remediation effort.

The other saw the Federal Government joined by the City of Orillia, Kids for Turtles, the Twin Lakes Conservation Club, and a local Soccer club in the physical environment restoration effort.

Partnerships like these mean that $1.8 million of federal money in this first wave of projects is producing millions more in actual results for the Lake.  The Provincial Government has not yet stepped up to assist any of these projects, but I am optimistic that too will change as subsequent waves of projects are assembled and undertaken.

The focus of our efforts is on physical remediation - real projects that improve the Lake Simcoe watershed ecosystem.  Real results, rather than money for self-congratulatory advertising, conferences, or similar "talk without results".

One of the core principles upon which I insisted as we developed our Lake Simcoe clean-up fund, was that projects come from the community, from groups and organizations familiar with the Lake.  I did not want to see the money all wasted on a giant new federal bureaucracy.  That's why groups like the Conservation Authority and community environmental groups are receiving funding for projects they are undertaking.

In addition, I wanted the community to choose the priorities - not remote civil servants in Ottawa.  That's why projects are reviewed, assessed and recommended to the Minister of the Environment by the Propel Advisory Committee - made of individuals from around the Lake active on its environmental challenges, and chaired by Innisfil Resident Richard Simpson.

There will be another round of applications for projects this fall - and the same will continue for another four years.  I encourage local groups with proposals for projects to improve the Lake's environment to make application.

Overall, $30 million will go to Lake Simcoe - almost one third of the money in our national water strategy.  It's great for Lake Simcoe's environment, long overdue - but still just a beginning.

We've also taken other actions to protect the Lake:

• A virtual ban on phosphates in dishwasher detergent.

• A ban on dumping waste from water vessels.

• Mandatory rules to protect the Lake ecosystem from invasive species.

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Contact Information:

Parliament Hill Office
T  613-996-7752
F  613-992-8351
E  vanloan.p@parl.gc.ca

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