Lake Simcoe Watch recently put out a questionnaire to all local candidates in the upcoming municipal election, asking questions about phosphorus loadings, the watershed, public processes and development charges.
In response, 26 of Barrie’s municipal election candidates have said that the City of Barrie should work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) 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.
Coun. Peter Silveira, the City of Barrie’s representative on the LSRCA board of directors, did not respond to the questionnaire.
According to the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, to improve the water quality of Lake Simcoe (including reduction of weeds and algae blooms) and to protect the cold-water fishery (including lake trout and white fish) Lake Simcoe’s annual phosphorus loadings must be reduced by 40% to 44 tonnes per year.
There were four questions asked of all candidates:
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?
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?
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?
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?
Both candidates for Barrie mayor, Jeff Lehman and Ram Faerber, responded to the questionnaire. While Faerber showed support by answering yes to all questions asked, Lehman was careful about making promises about high-quality connected forests, wetlands and meadows without more information.
“I would want to know more about this to understand what this target would require in Barrie; however, as we have linked our Natural Heritage System to the lake through our planning documents, I believe we have worked towards this goal already,” he said in his response.
Seven of the nine candidates in the running for the Ward 1 seat responded to the survey. Cole Walsh and Dusko Jankov did not send in responses.
“I believe the LSRCA is a champion player in the discussion and assurance that we prioritize Lake Simcoe's health, sustainability, and treatment. I support the development of a process for reviewing public submissions, that could negatively effect Lake Simcoe's ecosystem health,” wrote candidate Avery Konda.
Three of the four candidates in the running for the Ward 2 seat sent in responses, with Rose Romita being the only candidate not participating.
All three Ward 2 candidates answered yes to all questions asked.
“We also need to ensure that development does not continue to encroach on precious ecosystems. Development should be compact so that it is sustainable and cost-effective,” wrote candidate Keenan Aylwin.
In Ward 3, two of the three candidates in the running responded, with only Doug Shipley not sending in responses.
In regards to the question about development charges, candidate Lynn-Anne Hill also chose to be cautious and get more information before committing.
“My first answer was yes, however, I need to review this process to understand more fully,” she wrote.
All three candidates in Ward 4 sent in responses, mostly all in favour.
“I believe that conservation authorities, environmental research groups should have a consultative voice when governments pass/debate new legislation,” wrote candidate Daniel Boucher.
None of the candidates in the running for Ward 5 sent in responses.
Three of the four candidates in Ward 6 sent in responses, with only Natalie Harris not participating.
“The lake is the jewel of Barrie and lots of residents enjoy the water. But it is also important to protect the water for the sake of migrating birds and other species that call the lake home,” wrote candidate Colin Nelthorpe in his responses.
In Ward 7, three of the four candidates sent in responses, with only John McEachern declining to participate. The other candidates answered yes to all questions asked.
“If the Lake Simcoe watershed municipalities, the LSRCA, and the province cannot ensure that our wetlands, forests, and grasslands are preserved and re-established to at least 40% of healthy, connected coverage by 2026, the current rate of fragmentation will accelerate until our wild spaces are buried under concrete forever,” wrote candidate Bonnie North.
Ward 8 saw all four candidates in the running respond.
“I agree in principle with working in partnership with LSRCA and setting a proactive goal and being cognizant in future planning and development proposals affecting these areas, but I believe percentages and timelines can sometimes be difficult to attain,” wrote candidate Brian Miller.
In Ward 10, only John Olthius responded to the survey.
“Lake Simcoe has seen great improvement but we must continue to reduce phosphorus content. 44 tonnes is still too high in my estimation,” he wrote.
To read all the candidates’ complete responses, click here.
For background information on the questions asked, click here.
The questionnaire was sent out to the candidates in all of the Lake Simcoe Watershed’s 17 municipalities. To see other responses, click here.