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Lake lovers wary of provincial government's intentions for their favourite spot

'They talk about protecting the lake; leave it alone, that’s protecting it'

The Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks recently released the minister's 2017 annual report on Lake Simcoe, and despite being covered in ice, there are many feelings about what lies ahead for Lake Simcoe.

The much-debated Bill 66 and the possibility of development around Lake Simcoe had thousands of lake lovers standing up to the Ontario government to maintain the beauty of the lake.

Though recently scrapped from the bill, Schedule 10 would have made it easier for the 'Open for Business' plan to happen, allowing zoning bylaws to be passed by quicker and cutting out what the Progressive Conservative party called red tape.

Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin recently sent out a statement on the minister's 2017 annual report reinforcing the local government’s dedication to protecting the lake and reminding residents that they have made strides to work to maintain the dignity of the popular water destination.

“One of the first things we did was the establishment of a Lake Simcoe caucus, which is composed of the Members of Provincial Parliament whose riding boundaries surround Lake Simcoe and has a vested interest in its protection and preservation,” Khanjin said in the statement.

“Just last month, our Lake Simcoe caucus hosted the first of many roundtable discussions to seek feedback and to start a conversation with our local communities to determine what's currently working and what can be improved," she added. "This includes how we can work together to modernize the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan."

As it comes up for its 10-year review, Khanjin said there's a need to ensure that it can meet the needs of our growing society to "strike a balance between a healthy environment and a healthy economy."

Still, there are some who are weary of not only plans that lie ahead for the lake’s surrounding area, but what is happening now.

Thane Sye loves getting out on the lake no matter the weather and was recently ice fishing with some friends on Kempenfelt Bay.

The 59-year-old avid lake-goer was out looking for herring, whitefish or some lake trout in the self-made hut that he and a friend built. He tells BarrieToday that he believes the government isn’t taking care of the lakes and could very easily do so if they wanted.

“They need to stop developing near the lakes, period,” said Sye. “Look at Little Lake and what’s happening there. That’s a beautiful lake and they went built that medical centre near it, they’re putting up condos and the pollution is going to get really bad around there.

"It’s the same here," he added. "Lake Simcoe is such a beautiful place, you just can’t be tearing up the shores or areas around it, that’s not protecting it. They talk about protecting the lake; leave it alone, that’s protecting it.”

As someone who has frequented lakes his whole life, Sye has seen negative changes, particularly in Kempenfelt Bay. Sye says no matter what the city tries to do to build away from the lake, eventually it will be affected if every precaution isn’t taken.

“If you look around you while in the lake, you’ll see that it’s a big bowl essentially, no matter where you build, everything rolls down the bowl and into the lake,” said Sye. “The population is going to boom in this city in a couple years, I don’t know if we’re ready.”

BarrieToday also caught up to Susan Beech and her two children who were strolling the lakefront and hoping the warmer weather would get here soon so they could enjoy the family swimming they do very year since moving to Barrie.

Originally from Ajax, the Beechs have lived in Barrie for seven years and while a change of jobs brought them here, the lake sealed the deal for them and they hope it stays beautiful.

“We love the city so much and we honestly spend every minute we can by the lake,” said Beech. “I am very weary of the current government and their plans with the area, even though they formed a committee of local representatives we know that Doug Ford pulls the strings and if he wants to bulldoze around the lake he will go ahead and do it.

"I commend them for halting some aspects of Bill 66, but I really hope it wasn’t a stalling tactic and we’ll see all this pop up again when no one is watching," she said. 

See the full 2017 Lake Simcoe report here.


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Shawn Gibson

About the Author: Shawn Gibson

Shawn Gibson is a staff writer based in Barrie
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