The way Canadians receive weather information is changing. As of March 16, 2026, a long‑standing analog service has gone silent. If you boat, camp, or live around Georgian Bay, here’s exactly what has changed—and how to stay informed. - What Has Been Shut Down? - The federal government has officially decommissioned Weatheradio Canada, the network of roughly 230 VHF transmitters operated by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). - Key Details - Shutdown Date: March 16, 2026 Frequencies Affected: 162.400–162.550 MHz, commonly labeled WX1 through WX7 on weather and marine radios Reason: High maintenance costs for aging analog infrastructure and the availability of modern digital alternatives such as the WeatherCAN app and Alert Ready Weathe

The Deadline to Submit Comments: April 6, 2026 - Following TC Energy’s (TCE) formal submission of the Ontario Pumped Storage Hydropower Project to the federal government, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has triggered a critical 30-day public comment period. - The primary question currently before the IAAC is whether a full federal Impact Assessment is required. GBA strongly believes that a rigorous federal review is essential. Your voice is vital in ensuring the federal government understands the scale of local opposition and the potential risks to our fragile ecosystem. - GBA’s Position and Technical Concerns The GBA Board issued a formal statement of opposition to the Meaford Project in 2025. Our technical team has spent Q1 2026 reviewing the latest pro

For decades, Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) was the primary "rulebook" for protecting wildlife on your property, but with the recent passage of Bill 5, Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act, 2025 and their new Species Conservation Act (SCA), 2025, the provincial government has fundamentally shifted how species are managed in Ontario, leaving a significant gap in local conservation. - While Ontario claims Bill 5 will "speed up project timelines," it does so by offloading responsibility for over 100 species—including all migratory birds and aquatic life—to the feds. However, because federal protections often only apply to federal lands, many species on private cottage properties may now be left with zero legal safeguards. Furthermore, the new provincial rules narrow

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 1 inch below the level it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior remain the same. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 5, 6, 7 & 10 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 3 & 7 inches, respectively, from last year, while Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are lower by 1, 2 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are 3, 7, 1 & 2 inches below their long-term March averages. Lake Ontario is 4 inches above its long-term March average. All the lakes remain well below their March record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario levels

In Ontario, the official fire season runs from April 1 to October 31. During this window, strict laws govern how and when you can burn wood, brush, leaves, and grass. - In most cases you must have a fire permit to burn. Where a fire permit is not required, you must strictly adhere to the provincial and municipal rules. Failure to burn safely or without a required permit can result in heavy fines and liability for the costs of emergency services and property damage. - What are the Rules for Open Air Burning? Before you burn: Always check with your local municipality to see whether conditions allow and if a permit is required. If a permit is not required, follow these strict guidelines: For Piled Wood, Brush, and Leaves: - Start burning at least 2 hours before sun

Are you passionate about the future of Georgian Bay? - The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) is seeking a motivated post-secondary student to support our Vision 2050 initiative—a collaborative mission to strengthen long-term conservation and sustainable development across the world’s largest freshwater archipelago. - This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the intersection of environmental research, regional planning, and stakeholder engagement. - The Role Analyze: Research regional planning efforts and conservation initiatives. - Communicate: Synthesize complex data into clear reports, briefing materials, and website/newsletter content. - Engage: Support outreach with municipalities, Indigenous communities, and partner organizations. -

Following a period of careful review and extensive consultation, GBA has formally decided not to endorse or support the Georgian Bay Geopark project. - While GBA appreciates the effort put into the proposal, our primary mission remains the protection, preservation, and responsible stewardship of the Georgian Bay environment. After evaluating the potential impacts on our fragile ecosystems and considering the feedback from local communities and First Nations, the GBA Board passed a resolution at our March meeting to decline support for the initiative. - GBA remains committed to working alongside local municipalities, Indigenous communities, and dedicated conservation partners who share our vision for a sustainable future for Georgian Bay. - Read the full letter sent to the Geopark tea

Lake Michigan-Huron is now at the same level as it was at this time last year. From a month ago, the water levels on Lakes Superior remain the same. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 6, 9, 8 & 8 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior & Ontario levels are up 3 & 6  inches, respectively, from last year, while Lake Michigan-Huron levels are the same as they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are lower by 5 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Erie are 3, 6, 4 & 2 inches below their long-term March averages. Lake Ontario is 2 inches above its long-term March average. All the lakes remain well below their March record highs. In a month, Lakes Superio

What are sea lampreys and why are they problematic? Sea lampreys are an ancient form of a jawless fish with a toothed, funnel like mouth, that suck blood out of fish. They entered the Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence Seaway. During the 50’s, Lake Huron’s commercial fishing industry was verging on collapse. In particular, one of the most valued species, Lake Trout, a favorite sea lamprey meal, was nearing extinction. The good news is Lake Huron’s sea lamprey population (once the largest in the Great Lakes with over 700,000 in the 1940’s and 1950’s) has been declining. For example, in 2015 the population fell to 70,000, well below the target of 90,000 set by the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission (GLFC), established in 1954 to oversee a Great Lakes sea lamprey control

The message from traditional Indigenous teachings is that catch and release is disrespectful to the fish (it can also harm their ability to eat properly after they are released) and one should only fish respectfully, which includes eating the fish we catch. Now it seems there is another reason to question this practice. Some bass are smarter than we might think, learn to avoid lures and can pass that knowledge down through the generations! Who knew! - Read more here. -

What’s your name and what’s your connection to Georgian Bay? Sheila Williams and I (Celesta Bjornson) are the co-presidents of the Bay of Islands Association (BICA) and have been enjoying our summers in the Bay of Islands since we were toddlers. My family is from Pittsburgh and we originally found the Bay of Islands in the 1950s by vacationing at a fishing lodge called Moredolpton Lodge. Sheila's family is one of the founding families of the Bay of Islands. Her grandfather discovered the Bay of Islands in early 1900s while working on the lakers, travelling from southern Georgian Bay to the North Channel, transporting lumber back south. He fell in love with the area and purchased an island around 1924 and began building a cottage. Why is being a Guardian of the Bay important to yo

Luc Voorn is a cottager in the South Channel and a passionate advocate for Georgian Bay. He currently serves as the Membership Chairperson for the South Channel Association (SCA), Editor of the SCA “On the Waterfront” newsletter, and as Director, Friends of the Massasauga Park. This past summer (2019), he was nominated as a Guardian of Georgian Bay for his ongoing enthusiasm and efforts to protect and preserve the Bay. Note from Jamie Drayton, GBA Chair of Guardians of Georgian Bay Committee My Dad used to take us camping. His lure to get us to bathe was to promise us ice cream if we ran into the water first thing in the morning for a swim. I recall the water being absolutely freezing at 7 o’clock in the morning… I don’t recall ever getting any ice cream. A few years l

Boating from October through June offers a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters around should you require assistance. Here are some helpful tips from the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters to make off-season boating safer for you. Check the weather forecast. The weather can change quickly and storms can be more violent. Fog is also more common. Ensure that your boat and engine are in good working order. Ethanol-based fuel can allow water contamination in the tank. The use of a fuel additive prevents water in the f

As nominated by Heather Sargeant  My Phragbuster Hero About 5 or 6 years ago, at an event jointly put on by the Georgian Bay Association, Georgian Bay Forever, and featuring Dr. Gilbert, an ecologist with Phragmites expertise , I first learned about invasive Phragmites and the harm it can have on wetlands. I decided to investigate if Phragmites was a threat in Woods Bay (my favourite area of Georgian Bay), and that’s when my journey tackling this plant began.  I wasn’t sure if a plant across from the family cottage was indeed the invasive type, and so I was nervous and queasy about leading people to help me cut it.  What if it was the native plant, and I’d taken all these people out to cut down something benign? One of my neighbors told me there was a hero on Georgian

The Nature Conservancy of Canada is asking motorists to look out for vulnerable turtles on our roadways. Road surfaces provide an attractive source of warmth for these cold-blooded reptiles, particularly in the spring and early summer. During this time, turtles are mating and nesting; in late summer and early fall, newly hatched turtles are travelling from their nests to nearby wetlands. The Nature Conservatory of Canada has an informative video and tips for safely moving turtles. Watch the video and read the tips here.

Here are some things to think about around Fire Safety at the cottage: Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are present and working. Have a list of local emergency numbers posted for all to see. Include all pertinent cottage location information.   Have the right fire extinguishers in the right places. Have an individual fire plan for evacuation. Make sure your plan has two escape routes. Respect local fire ratings. Have a fire pump and use it regularly to ensure it is in good working order. At the very least have a list of neighbours to call for assistance. Follow your association’s emergency plan if it exists. Make sure you have insurance. Make sure you understand what it covers and that it is adequate to rebuild and covers contents AND fire de