Will Doug Ford clean up Lake Simcoe?
From Lake Simcoe Watch, May 12, 2022
By Jack Gibbons, Chair, Lake Simcoe Watch
We asked the leaders of Ontario’s provincial parties if they will promptly implement and fund a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes per year by 2030.
Andrea Horwath (NDP), Steven Del Duca (Liberal Party) and Mike Schreiner (Green Party) all said “yes” to our question.
To see their full responses, please click here.
Unfortunately, Doug Ford has still not replied to our questionnaire. The PC Party leader and his five incumbent Lake Simcoe MPPs need to stand up for the lake we love. Ask Doug Ford and your local candidates where they stand on this issue.
Background
In 2009, the Government of Ontario released its Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, which called for Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to be reduced by 50% to 44 tonnes per year. According to the Plan, this is the reduction in pollution that is needed to protect our cold-water fishery (e.g., lake trout, white fish) and to prevent excessive weed growth and algae blooms.
Unfortunately, the Government of Ontario has not funded or implemented a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes a year. As a result, Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution has gone up by 30% since 2009. We are going in the wrong direction.
What you can do
Please contact your local provincial election candidates and Doug Ford and ask them if they believe that the Government of Ontario should implement a plan to reduce Lake Simcoe’s phosphorous pollution to 44 tonnes per year by 2030.
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