The Ontario government is engaging with local partners, Indigenous communities, and residents from the Lake Simcoe area to get their input on the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
The plan is the roadmap to improve the lake’s water quality, reduce pollutants such as phosphorus, support sustainable fisheries, and address the impacts of invasive species. The feedback received will help determine if the document needs to be amended or updated.
“Thanks to the hard work of local environmental and conservation organizations, advocates and all levels of government, considerable progress has been made to restore Lake Simcoe over the past 10 years,” said Andrea Khanjin, parliamentary assistant to the minister of the environment, conservation and parks. Khanjin is also the MPP for Barrie-Innisfil.
“While this progress is encouraging, we know the watershed is under increasing pressure as the result of population growth and climate change,” added Khanjin. “That’s why we are inviting all our partners, including the general public to participate in the review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep the lake beautiful for generations to come.”
Members of the public can take part in the 75-day public review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan by completing an online public survey between December 18, 2020 and March 3, 2021. They can also participate in a virtual town hall early in 2021. More information about the plan and about other ways to get involved in the review is available on the Protecting Lake Simcoe webpage.
Based on the engagement and the findings from the review, the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks will consider making amendments to the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan by the summer of 2021.