GBA’s current Strategic Plan for 2017 – 2022 can be viewed here.
Plans, priorities and committee structures are reviewed and updated from time to time as required, and details can be found on the GBA website, as referenced in the Strategic Plan.
GBA AGM 2021
GBA held its 105th Annual General Meeting on April 10, 2021. Summaries and highlights of the wide range of issues and topics that we deal with on behalf of our members were presented and discussed. You can view the presentations here.
We all want to protect our properties as best we can over the long winter, but if you use or are considering installing a bubbler to prevent ice damage, there are some import issues to consider. Bubblers are a type of de-icing system that prevent ice from forming around waterfront structures by creating zones of agitated and warmer water. Without careful planning, management and consideration of the nature of your waterfront area, your bubbler can de-ice a significantly larger portion of the water than is necessary to protect your property creating large areas of open water. Legal Implications There is no law against using a bubbler, but Section 263 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada (Duty to safeguard opening in ice) is very clear that those who make or cause to be made
Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, & Erie are down 0, 2, 5, & 3 inches respectively, and Lake Ontario is up 1 inch. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 13, 15 & 17 inches respectively, and Lakes Superior is up 9 inches, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & are 4, 5, 6, & 7 inches above, respectively, and Lake Ontario is 5 inches below, their long term November average. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are all expected
Yet again the Ford government has tried to stifle public comment on a wide-ranging and impactful Bill by providing a ridiculously short timeline, and an extremely complicated process, for public comment. Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, will significantly undermine environmental protections and remove safeguards in the planning approval process, such as making it more challenging for municipalities to oppose development applications. Nonetheless, GBA, many municipalities, all the relevant NGOs, and others have put together submissions requesting changes to the Bill to preserve vital environmental protections and oppose changes to the planning approval process. Read the GBA submission here. We need your help! The Ford government recently passed Bill 23, however, the consulta
Environment & Climate Change Canada (ECCC) have finally released their long-awaited study on Climate Change impacts in the Great Lakes basin, which includes probability-based projections of potential water levels variability from 2025 to 2095. Great Lakes shoreline municipalities, businesses (particularly marinas), ports, and residents should review this report before making any investments in building or rebuilding structures, proceeding with any shoreline infrastructure, or mitigation/adaptation measures to address extreme high and/or low water levels. The risk of greater extreme highs and lows is significant, with projected water level ranges potentially increasing as follows in each lake: The reasons for the larger potential increase in range for Lake Michigan-Huron are p
Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, & Erie are down 0, 2, 1, & 1 inches respectively, and Lake Ontario is up 1 inch. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 9, 12, 15 & 18 inches respectively, and Lakes Superior is up 9 inches, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & are 5, 5, 8, & 9 inches above, respectively, and Lake Ontario is 5 inches below, their long term November average. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, & Erie ar
Have you or someone you know ever fallen overboard? The Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) is looking for boaters who are interested in participating in a study regarding the importance of lifejacket wear in the event of falling overboard and accidental immersion. What was your reaction to this accidental immersion? Were you wearing your lifejacket? What was your attitude towards lifejacket wear before the event? Has it changed your viewpoint? Sharing is learning and by creating a community of interest the CSBC can help boaters across Canada learn from other’s stories and further their efforts to help you stay safe on the water. Get more information and share your stories here.
Every three years the Canadian and American governments set out their priorities under the 10 Annexes of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). GBA is a founding member of the Great Lakes Ecoregion Network (GLEN), which has made a detailed submission on the Annex 10 Science & Action priorities in an effort to hone and strengthen future government action on water quality. GBA was an integral part of the team that provided input on this submission, which can be found here. GLEN was formed in the spring of 2022 to coordinate public input on the GLWQA and GBA will continue to work with GLEN to advocate for Georgian Bay water quality. You can read the government’s draft 2023-2025 Great Lakes Binational Priorities for Science and Action here.
Since arriving in ballast water in the 1980s invasive mussels have literally been sucking the life out of the Great Lakes. Their voracious nutrient filtering has altered the ecology, the food web and is changing the chemical composition of the lakes. Whereas zebra mussels prefer warmer water temperatures and attach to hard surfaces in shallower water, quagga mussels thrive in cooler water and can live deep down on soft, sandy lake-beds. Quagga mussels now number in the quadrillions throughout the Great Lakes, including Georgian Bay. Freshwater ecologists are trying to find ways to control the impacts of these invasives on multiple fronts and are experimenting with pesticides, parasites, physical removal methods and other techniques that may help restore the balance to the Great Lakes.
Members of GBA’s Floating Cottage Strategy Group are highlighting your concerns about the need for appropriate regulation of floating cottages. Citing safety, environmental and licensing concerns, several members of the committee spoke to CBC recently to discuss the need to property regulate pop-up floating cottages. Transport Canada’s designation of floating cottages as “vessels” is a major concern as it exempts these structures from building codes, municipal zoning regulations and taxation. GBA formed the Floating Cottages Strategy Group earlier this year to include local governments, the community, and other stakeholders. We anticipate that the floating cottage issue will require long-term advocacy and a coordinated effort across multiple government agencies to ensure that
So far, November continues to be unusually warm but precipitation is near normal levels. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 1, 1, 3, 3 & 1 inches respectively. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 12, 16 & 19 inches respectively, and Lakes Superior is up 7 inches, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & are 4, 7, 10, & 9 inches above, respectively, and Lake Ontario is 7 inches below, their long term November average. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a
So far, November has been unusually warm and dry. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 2, 2, 6, 4 & 2 inches respectively. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 9, 14, 17 & 18 inches respectively, and Lakes Superior is up 6 inches, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & are 4, 7, 11, & 10 inches above, respectively, and Lake Ontario is 7 inches below, their long term November average. All the lakes remain well below their November record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Mic
On July 5, 2022 Carling Township Council declined a zoning bylaw amendment application that would have allowed a controversial cottage on Morlock Island to stand. The property owner removed the former cottage and built a new cottage without planning permission and without making any attempt to comply with township planning regulations. The owner has appealed this decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) and the hearing is on November 8, 2022. GBA, West Carling Association and the Pengally Bay Ratepayers Association have written in support of Carling Township. If the decision is upheld the property owner will have to remove the new cottage. Read GBA’s Letter to the OLT here. The joint letter from West Carling Association and Pengally Bay Ratepayers Association can be found here.
