Interim Executive Director
Allison Needham
(647) 824-2922
executivedirector@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
Interim Executive Director
Allison Needham
(647) 824-2922
executivedirector@georgianbay.ca
Communications & Executive Services Coordinator
Shannon Farquharson
(416) 937-4990
gba@georgianbay.ca
138 Hopedale Avenue
Toronto, ON, M4K 3M7
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 3 inches below its level at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 3, 4, 4, 4 & 5 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 7, 3, 1, 3 & 1 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 2, 11, 11 & 3 inches, respectively, above their long-term October average, and Lakes Superior is 5 inches below. All the lakes remain well below their October record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall by 2, 3, 7, 5 & 6 inches, respectively
Pancake Island on Georgian Bay is a picturesque destination for boating, swimming, and fishing, but the public docks were damaged back in 2019 making it harder for visitors to access and enjoy the island. The West Carling Association (WCA) has been working to have damaged docks at the Pancake Island picnic site replaced. Despite initial setbacks, there is now hope that the project can move forward. The final hurdle is to obtain a Land Use Permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF). Many voices can make a difference, so if you'd like to see the Pancake Island public docks rebuilt, consider sending an email in support to the Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and MPP Parry Sound-Muskoka, using our DoGooder site here. It only tak
Boating from October through June can offer a very different experience steeped in solitude and excellent fishing. It is a beautiful time to be on the water. But boating during this cold water season also requires extra attention to detail and the ability to be self-sufficient given that there are fewer boaters on the water 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. Dress for the water temperature rather than the air temperature this can help slow the progression of hypothermia should you find yourself in the water Check the weather forecast before heading out small open boats are especially vulnerable to sudden
After many years of tireless service, Rupert Kindersley is hanging up his hat as Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Association. Rupert joined the GBA board in 2008, serving until 2018 when he took on the role of Executive Director. For the past six years, Rupert has been the heartbeat of our organization, driving our mission to protect and preserve Georgian Bay. We're grateful for his dedication, passion, and leadership and wish him well as he steps into retirement. Rupert will continue to act in an advisory role to help ensure a seamless transition. The GBA Board is pleased to announce that Allison Needham has agreed to step into the role of Interim Executive Director. Allison is a lifelong cottager on Georgian Bay and has served on the GBA Board and as editor of our UPDATE newsle
Recent Facebook rumblings have caused GBA to revisit some of our trepidation about the annual cormorant hunt approved by the provincial government in 2019. Several people have reported sightings of cormorant carcasses in the Bay, indicating that hunters are not following the rules and disposing of the birds properly. Fact-checking malicious rumours about a little black duck Cormorants have a bad reputation based on a few misconceptions and some of their messy habits. Here are a few facts about cormorants that you may not know: Cormorants are not considered an invasive species in Georgian Bay. Ontario’s oldest record of cormorants is from 1798 at Lake of the Woods, and there are records of the water birds from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biospher
Lake Michigan-Huron remains 3 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario & are down 3, 5, 5, 4 & 6 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 8, 3, 4, 3 & 1 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 0, 7, 9 & 0 inches, respectively, above their long-term September average, and Lakes Superior is 6 inches below. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall by 2, 3, 6, 6 & 4 inches, r
September 30 is Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. How will you mark the day? Think about the children and families of our neighbours who were and continue to be impacted by the residential school system Wear orange in honour of the children who did not come home, those who have lived as survivors and their families Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action and look for ways to bring action to reconciliation Commit to learning about the people who’s traditional territory we live on. Here are some great resources: Shawanaga First Nation has an interesting history of The First Peoples of Georgian Bay Georgian Bay Biosphere has an extensive collection of resources for cultural learning The National Centre for
Transport Canada has taken the next step in modernizing the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (VORR). Following a public consultation in Fall 2023 and the release of their What We Heard report in July 2024, proposed changes to the VORR have been pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on September 14, 2024. This is the last opportunity to comment before the proposed changes become law when published in Canada Gazette, Part ll. The comment period is open until November 28, 2024. Objectives of the proposed changes VORR modernization the overall objective of the proposed Regulations and accompanying program changes is to reduce the time required to implement vessel operation restrictions on local waterways. Incorporation by reference the objective of incor
After a recent consultation, Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks (MECP) expanded the boundaries of 27 parks to add a little more protected land towards Ontario’s and Canada’s 2030 targets. Although this is a move in the right direction, GBA noted two issues. - Firstly, before these additions, less than 11% of land in Ontario was protected—the target is 30% by 2030—and this extra land is not going to significantly move the needle. Unless major action is taken to protect large amounts of Ontario land, there is little prospect of meeting this target. - Furthermore, MECP did not include an addition to the Massasauga Park along the Moon River, which was requested by the Woods Bay Community Association in 2016 to protect the banks of the river from irrespons
Lake Michigan-Huron is now three inches below its level at this time last year. The water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie, and Ontario are down 2, 5, 6, 5, and 6 inches, respectively, from a month ago. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie, and Ontario are lower by 7, 3, 3, 4, and 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 1, 9, 9, and 1 inch, respectively, above their long-term September average, and Lakes Superior is 4 inches below. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are expected to fall by 1, 3, 6, 5, and 6 inches, respectively. Outfl
Lake Michigan-Huron is now 4 inches below its level at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario & are down 2, 5, 6, 5 & 4 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 9, 4, 4, 5 & 4 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 1, 9, 9 & 2 inches, respectively, above their long-term September average, and Lakes Superior is 5 inches below. All the lakes remain well below their September record highs. - In a month’s time Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are expected to fall by 1, 3, 5, 5 & 6 inches, respect
In their continuing efforts to improve boating safety, Transport Canada (TC) has launched a Let's Talk consultation to get your views on mandatory lifejacket or PFD (personal flotation device) wear for recreational boaters. This consultation, which is now open, is the first step towards potential federal legislation. To inform this process, TC has developed a survey with criteria based on recent research, focusing on three key categories: Age requirements Vessel length Vessel type The main goal of any legislation would be to reduce boating fatalities and TC have specified that mandatory wear requirements would only apply while a vessel is in motion, ensuring that other activities like fishing and swimming while anchoring are not impacted. Why is this on the radar?