Five of Barrie’s seven candidates for mayor have waded into a discussion about Lake Simcoe’s health.
Lake Simcoe Watch asked the candidates if they believed municipalities on the lake should formally ask the Ontario government to promptly fund and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year by 2030.
In 2009, the province released its Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, which called for its phosphorous pollution to be reduced by 50 per cent to 44 tonnes a year. According to the plan, this reduction in pollution is needed to protect the lake’s cold-water fishery and prevent excessive weed growth and algae blooms.
But Lake Simcoe Watch says the province has not funded or implemented a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year. Instead, it has gone up by 30 per cent since 2009, according to Lake Simcoe Watch.
Gerry Marshall, Alex Nuttall and Barry Ward all said the province should be formally asked to fund and implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year by 2030.
Weldon Hachey and Andrew Gordon said they were undecided, while Lake Simcoe Watch did not record responses from Barrie mayoral candidates Mike McCann and Rob Haverson.
“Our lake is our greatest asset, and we need to protect it at all costs,” Nuttall said. “I’m prepared to work alongside the City of Barrie and (Ontario’s Ministry of) Natural Resources to implement a plan to ensure that Lake Simcoe continues to provide safe, four-season recreation for local residents, and an inviting environment for our wildlife.”
“There are many things municipalities can do, but provincial funding is needed,” Ward said. “For example, Barrie has a long-term plan to upgrade our stormwater management ponds but it is very expensive, meaning we can only do one or two per year because of all our other spending priorities. Provincial funding would allow us to speed up the process.”
Marshall said that during the next term of council several things need to happen. Municipalities that share the lake must align to ensure their mayors speak with one voice, for example.
“While a mayor has a strong platform from which to speak, multiple mayors speaking as one on Lake Simcoe protection issues amplifies the message,” he said.
Marshall said given the Highway 404 link is to be built, the province must complete and meet the pre-construction environmental and mitigation commitments made, the Conservative government must be held accountable to follow the Lake Simcoe protection legislation and work with Barrie’s MPs to hold the federal Liberals to their Lake Simcoe protection and funding election promises.
“From a city perspective ensure we make decisions that consider the impact they may have on our climate, environment and lake,” he said. “To be more specific, I am speaking of municipal efforts related to items such as climate mitigation, green energy conversion and reducing our runoff — particularly salt and phosphorus.”
Both Hachey and Gordon said they needed more information before taking a position.
“I need to read up and educate myself on anything before I can make an educated decision,” Hachey said. “It’s very obvious we need to protect our water and our lands. I would like to speak to the experts and find out the best solution.”
“I would need more information on this to make an informed decision,” Gordon said. “Such as how we can reduce the phosphorus. How much it would cost to reduce the levels, and maintain that reduction. The impact on the industries in the area, how many jobs or businesses would be affected. The environment is very important and we must take care of it at all costs.”
Barrie voters go to the polls to elect their next mayor, city councillors and school board trustees Oct. 24.
Lake Simcoe Watch wants to ensure a healthy future for nature and people living around Lake Simcoe.
The group regularly asks candidates questions during election campaigns.
For more information, visit lakesimcoewatch.ca.
