More events! And capturing the headlines with Bradford Bypass court ruling
Release from the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition
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Hello Lake Lover!
It has been a busy start to spring and we’ve got a ton of updates for you. Read below to see what we have been up to, some good news regarding our Bradford Bypass campaign, and lots of events coming up!
Earth day Weekend Coverage
Don’t Blast the Past Webinar Replay
Comedy Show Fundraiser
Success for the Bradford Bypass Judicial Review
Bradford Bypass Town halls
Land use planning, sprawl and community based action
Earth Day Weekend Rallies were a success!
The York – Simcoe rally organized by RLSC got LOTS of media attention. A HUGE thanks to everyone to came out! Check out the footage on our Instagram page!
- Apr 24, 2023- NewmarketToday: ‘That’s how change happens’: Environmentalists rally against province
- Apr 24, 2023- Simcoe.com: ‘Anyone big or small can make a difference’: 9-year-old Orillia activist says individual actions can help save environment
- Apr 23, 2023- TheStar: ‘Absolutely destroying our community and our environment’: Environmentalists rally north of Newmarket
- Apr 22, 2023- BradfordToday: Environmentalists rallying in Holland Landing on Earth Day weekend
Don’t Blast the Past Webinar Replay
We were delighted to host three First Nations speakers, a historian, a marine archaeologist, and some of our Stop the Bradford Bypass campaign team on this popular and fascinating webinar. YES to moving forward together with our First Nations partners in protection.
Learn more about the Lower Landing.
Laugh for Lake Simcoe Comedy Show Fundraiser
Just added:
– Former, beloved CTV Barrie news anchor Jayne Pritchard will be at the event for book sales and signing.
– Comedian Gilson Lubin
Check out our other stars:
– Our headliner is Martha Chaves who never fails to crack us up
– Followed by the dry whit of Jon Steinberg;
– As well as the smart AND funny Rob Bebeneck
For more information see our Facebook event page
WIN! Success for the Bradford Bypass Judicial Review
Ecojustice took on a judicial review of Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault’s denial of our second request for Impact Assessment (IA) of the Bradford Bypass. Recently, a judge ruled in our favour, which opens the door for another request, which we are considering. The ruling did not order Guilbeault to do an IA of the project.
The reasons we had a large number of partners on this judicial review with us was because Guilbeault’s perfunctory denial set a bad precedent for other potentially damaging projects across Canada, where things change and a second or third IA request is valid (as was our belief).
This is a very important ruling for the environment and public participation in Canada. But it does not mean that the Bypass will automatically get an Impact Assessment. We need to decide if we are going to ask a third time.
Read the Ecojustice Press release
Local media coverage:
Bradford Today: Denying federal impact assessment for Bradford Bypass ‘unreasonable’
This is a big win for a campaign we have had very little funding for. We are grateful to the Echo Foundation, and Small Change Fund for the funds we used last year. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel just when we think we have a real chance of killing this project for the third time in its life. Please donate now.
See our Bradford Bypass Campaign HERE
Bradford Bypass Townhalls: a Transparent Reconsideration of the Route
All are welcome to learn more about the Bradford Bypass including the route options, what’s at risk, how money is being spent, and what justifies, or does not justify, the currently planned location. Each event covers the same topics. Events are free and open to all to sign up or drop in.
BRADFORD: Sunday June 4th, 4 – 6 PM. Bradford & District Memorial Community Centre, (Old Community Centre)125 Simcoe Road, Bradford – Auditorium Room upstairs
SUTTON: Sunday June 11th, 3 PM – 5 PM. The Link, 20849 Dalton Road, Sutton.
EAST GWILLIMBURY: Tuesday June 20th, 6 – 8 PM. Holland Landing Public Library, Trillium Room, 19513 Yonge Street, Holland Landing.
Walk ins welcome, but if you want to get on a list for email reminders, please add your information to this secure form.
For more information about our events see our events page
Land use planning, sprawl and community based action
One disaster after another from Queen’s Park
The depth of the problems unleashed by our government’s war on red tape is hard to describe. They have proposed to eliminate the Growth Plan, which has controlled sprawl and protected farmland since 2005. They are removing regional planning for most purposes and places. They have removed the definition of “affordable” from the Provincial Policy Statement (which is not a great way to show you’re taking care of Ontario’s affordable housing problem). They propose to allow almost any kind of building anywhere. On farms, in employment lands. You get the idea. We thought it was bad before – now we’re absolutely stunned.
We will be commenting on these changes, and you can too here:
Stop Sprawl York Region: Greenbelt removals get stinkier
Local research badger Gordon Prentice has been pulling out all the stops to get to the bottom of the King / Newmarket boundary Greenbelt removal for a new Southlake Hospital. The issue is not building a new hospital. It’s who benefits from sudden land use permission changes? And are elected officials facilitating huge profits for their friends? That’s what the Auditor General is trying to find out. (Of course we also need to protect our headwaters and greenspace for a healthy liveable GTHA!)
The latest coverage:
The Globe and Mail: Documents reveal hospital proposal in Ontario’s Greenbelt
Newmarket Today: Documents reveal hospital proposal on Greenbelt
Stop Sprawl Durham:
The biggest and most controversial Greenbelt carveout occurred beside the Rouge National Park in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve. It is being reviewed by the Federal government for its potential impacts to the park and species at risk.
Catch up with Durham stop sprawl work, including making comments on the Official Plan by reviewing their most recent newsletter and actions HERE.
Other Events
Celebrate and Protect the Greenbelt with Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora and guest speakers, including our own Claire Malcolmson.
Thursday, May 11 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Old Town Hall Auditorium 460 Botsford Street, Newmarket, Ontario
More information: HERE
The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition invites 9-12-year-olds with their caregiver to participate in a 3-day outdoor exploration of Lake Simcoe and its watershed at the Barrie Library.
Find more information and register: HERE
Protect the Lake Paddle excursions in Carrie with Corporate Recess and the RLSC
June 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – $30
Reserve your spot and pay by e-transfer by emailing
barrie@corporaterecess.ca. A portion of the funds will be donated to Rescue Lake Simcoe!
Living Green Barrie tree planting events and volunteer opportunities for all! Check out their newsletter for more information
Waterloo’s Water Institute, and Climate and Energy institutes is once again hosting summer school this year. If you ever wanted a crash course in the latest water and climate science, this is an affordable and easy way to do that!
Learn more: HERE
Get Involved!
We’re hiring a summer student for July & August!
If you are 15 – 30 years old, independent, curious and hard working get in touch with Claire at rescueLakeSimcoeCoalition@gmail.com to find out more!
Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition is still looking to fill some Volunteer Positions. We have the following openings
Support Our Work
Help us protect Lake Simcoe by making a donation!
1. Donate using our Small Change Fund page.
2. Send us an eTransfer at rlscfinance@gmail.com
If you would like a charitable tax receipt, please email your full name and mailing address to the same email address, too.
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