Continues on page 2 I N S I D E Spring/Summer 2026 • Vol. 36 No. 1 Advancing Vision 2050 8 Connecting with Traditional Anishinaabek Foods 10 PM # 40038178 Your Voice on the Bay GBANews and Information from the Georgian Bay Association UPDATE 1 By Katherine Denune, Chair, Guardians of the Bay Committee Champion of the Bay 2025 Bruce Davidson, West Carling Association For more than 80 years, Bruce Davidson has been appreciating and caring for the natural environment of Snug Island and Carling Township. A clear set of principles drives his committed stewardship: protect habitat, avoid unnecessary disturbance, and leave every place better than it was found. Together with his brother Alex, he keeps Snug Island’s 40 acres of forest as close to their natural state as possible, preserving dead trees for wildlife, removing invasive plants, cleaning up litter, dismantling illegal fire pits and inukshuks, and even adding pea gravel to support black bass nesting sites. Beyond Snug Island, Bruce has contributed to the wider community for decades, serving on the West Carling Association (WCA) board for 25 years. As a director, Bruce successfully advocated to the Canadian Coast Guard for the removal of hazardous waste from the Snug Lighthouse. In addition, he partnered with Glenda Clayton of the former Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council to build and monitor fox snake nest protection cages. He carried out biweekly water sampling and, most recently, helped Georgian Bay Forever map invasive phragmites in the Carling area. Bruce has contributed regularly to the WCA newsletter, writing articles on forest succession, the impacts of water levels on fish habitat, geological history, and Georgian Bay’s changing landscape. Bruce sees himself not only as a steward for Snug Island but as an agent for the preservation and protection of Crown lands in Georgian Bay’s nearby archipelago. It’s hard to pick just one story to tell about Bruce, but his enduring love for Franklin Island has always been a constant. Bruce Davidson’s connection to the Island is rooted in deep appreciation, lifelong memories, and a strong sense of stewardship. Can you describe Franklin Island for those who aren’t familiar? Absolutely! It was and is a very special place. Franklin Island is a 2,200-acre island located just northwest of Snug Harbour. In 1921, it came very close to becoming a provincial park, and the initiative received a first reading in Queen’s Park. It was to be preserved as the “Crown Jewel of Georgian Bay” for its pristine flora and abundant wildlife. Unfortunately, the government changed, the bill expired, and the initiative was sidelined. Fast forward to the 1950s when I was a young kid: I would canoe in the spring with my buddy in Franklin’s bays and inner lakes, and we would watch the fish spawn. We saw them in absolute multitude because at that time, Franklin Island was protected. There was a fishing ban within a quarter of a mile from the shore. It was teeming with fish, and it was just wonderful. Photo: Thom Morrissey President’s Report 3 2025 Champions of the Bay Association Winners 4 Executive Director Report 9 Glen Parr: One of the Last of the Bay Fishermen 11 The State of the Canadian Boating Industry 12 Garbage Survey 14 New Board Members and Officers 15 Upcoming Events 15
2 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 Continued from page 1 I guess you can’t have that forever, and with the passage of time and completion of Highway 400, each summer the number of people visiting is in the thousands. On any given weekend, there are probably 500 to 1,000 people camping on Franklin in various locations. A lot of people use the island because it is free. I don’t care for that kind of intensity of use, but what can you do? I kayak over frequently just to be there. I still go to some of the back bays where I remember seeing all these gar pike. Can you tell me about the Franklin Island Challenge? I have to go back about 30 years. White Squall, the kayaking centre in Carling, had started bringing people to Snug Harbour and Franklin Island. They quickly recognized existing issues with trash and human waste and decided to organize a cleanup. Starting every fall, this effort incurred costs, prompting them to approach the West Carling Association for a charitable donation. I was the WCA president at that time and I thought it was a wonderful idea. Our donations covered the purchase of thunder boxes (camp toilets). So, for a number of years, WCA supplied the materials, while White Squall provided the labour to build and install the thunder boxes. How did it become the Challenge? Tim Dyer, the owner of White Squall, came up with a brilliant idea of kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, you name it, around Franklin Island as an annual fundraiser. Ever since then, the Franklin Island Challenge has been able to self-fund the now-called Outer Islands Project. Today, the Outer Islands Project continues to steward many campsites on Franklin Island and additional nearby locations. Did you ever participate in the Challenge? Yes! I joined in a few years ago and rowed an old lapstrake rowboat from 1921, so it was as heavy as lead. I couldn’t hardly lift it as it has to get waterlogged to be water resistant. With all the water inside, it was like the Queen Mary, but it was fun! Do you have any current projects related to Franklin Island? I am trying to get an osprey nest site organized. I have identified a couple of locations: one is on the southwest corner of Franklin Island on a small adjacent island. You don’t want a lot of people around, so you’ve got to pick a rocky location, one hostile to boats, so you can’t easily pull a boat up onto it. It also needs good fish habitat nearby, because osprey are 100 percent fish eaters. Old telephone poles are great for holding the platform. The ospreys like height, so you want to create a platform no less than 20 ft above ground. My friend Peter Pook has designed the structure so it’s all ready to go; we just haven’t quite made it happen yet. We would love any extra hands if anyone is interested? What inspired your passion for the Georgian Bay? I owe my enthusiasm for the Bay to my mother. She came as an eight-year-old girl, and I don’t know that she ever missed a summer from 1923 to 2008. A time of lasting inspiration for me came when she was 93 years old and in very poor health with oxygen and 24-hour nursing care. I visited her at her home in Windsor in February and said, “Mom, you really ought not to go up to the cottage this year, you’ve got all the comforts here and the medical care you need, we can’t get you off the island in an emergency, it would be too risky.” She said, “Son, if I don’t get up there, I’ll die.” And so, she came up, and she had a wonderful summer, and then in early August, she died in the place she wanted to be. So that’s the love of the Bay that my mother passed on to me. What does Franklin Island mean to you? Well, there’s nothing more special to me than Franklin Island. It holds great memories for me as a teenager. I used to know all of the passages like the back of my hand, places you couldn’t get to unless you portaged. My biggest fear, of course, is a fire. If an uncontrolled burn ever swept the island, it would be absolutely horrendous, so I’m totally focused on preventing that. Franklin Island is everything to me. Visit our showrooms and workshop Hwy 11 South, Severn Bridge Hwy 400 North, Waubaushene 800-567-6604 pioneerhandcraft.ca Celebrating 80 years of classic Canadian handmade furniture
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 3 PRESIDENT’S REPORT By Alan Stratton, GBA President Moving Forward You will notice that this edition of UPDATE is a combined Spring/ Summer issue. We are moving towards embracing more digital media to connect with you that reflect the times, which will also allow us to offer our advertisers more options as well. However, we recognize that many of you like the print editions and our intention is to maintain a Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter version for as long as they remain viable. After all, in a digital-heavy world, it seems almost refreshing to still have paper media! We recently held our annual members’ meeting (AMM) and are pleased that we had representation from all of our 17 associations. There was significant engagement and a wealth of feedback from the delegates that will help us as we strive to stay on top of the issues that matter most to our members. The AMM also marks the end of terms for several of our Directors who have been instrumental in guiding the GBA over the past several years. I extend sincere gratitude to Liz Phillips (Bay of Islands), Heather Sargeant (Woods Bay), David Matthews (Cognashene), and Stephen Sprague (South Channel), as well as Hannah Willis (Pointe au Baril) and Seymour Hadwin (Pointe au Baril). Each of them have contributed countless hours and added tremendous value during their terms. If you have cause to interact with any of them, please thank them personally as there is no reward better to a volunteer than the recognition and appreciation for their efforts. While it is bittersweet to be losing people who I have enjoyed working with and will certainly miss, on the other side of the coin, I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to work with and get to know the people who are joining the Board in their place. I would like to welcome Sheila Williams (Bay of Islands), Jamie Crichton (Woods Bay), Luc Voorn (South Channel), Sandy Thompson (Cognashene) and Dave Sharpe (Pointe au Baril). From what I’ve come to know of each of them already, I know that they are all fantastic additions to our organization. We are fortunate for every one of our volunteers, whether they can give us 10 hours per year or a thousand, every minute of their collective contribution is what allows the GBA to advance initiatives to the benefit of our members. It’s the passion, enthusiasm, and dedication of every volunteer that makes it a distinct pleasure to work for the GBA. I look forward to a busy year ahead as we seek to complete a fiveyear strategic plan that will guide us into the next decade. Yours in health.
4 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 Bay of Islands Community Association Linda Bartlett & Lynda Montgomery For the last 25 years, longtime friends Linda Bartlett and Lynda Montgomery have led and brought vitality to the Lake Partners Program (LPP) in the Bay of Islands. From early May through October, Linda and Lynda completed twice-monthly water sampling routes to contribute to long-term data on water quality and total phosphorus. No matter the weather, on each field day, these extraordinary women each visited six different sampling locations (12 total) scattered across the Bay of Islands. One sampling location was near the Eastern Island fish farm, which involved a one-hour round trip in unsheltered, open water. A full set of collecting and processing samples required an entire day. In addition to singlehandedly running the LPP, Lynda and Linda ran a coliform bacteria testing program for 15 years. Because of the commitment by Linda and Lynda, our community has accumulated enough data to observe water quality trends and identify problem areas, helping us in our mission to preserve and protect the Bay of Islands environment for future generations. - Zachary Shewchuck Bayfield Nares Islanders’ Association Ted Simmonds Anyone who has driven Highway 529A on the way to Bayfield or Nares Inlet can thank Ted for his years of dedicated stewardship. Bothered by the trash along the highway, Ted signed up for a training session run by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) in Sudbury focused on road-safety protocols for running a volunteer team and submitting trashcollection reports. For more than 20 years, Ted has been “the team” and has walked up and down a six-mile stretch of 529A once or twice a year, collecting garbage and recycling. In addition to collecting roadside trash, Ted became concerned by the quantity of empty bottles and pop cans arriving at the Bayfield Transfer Site. He realized that there was real potential to collect funds from recycling and put them to good use. As the word spread, Ted began picking up heaping truckloads of bottles and cans diverted from the transfer station, and sorting them for delivery to the Beer Store in Parry Sound and another local recycler. Every year, this effort made between $1,000 to $1,500 dollars, which Ted donated to the Pointe au Baril Nursing Station. Concerned also by the number of abandoned docks and their potential for polystyrene pollution, Ted began a “derelict dock” initiative, gathering sighting reports and scouting the shoreline. Since 2020, Ted has transported more than 30 derelict docks back to his boathouse on the mainland, where he has demolished and trucked them to the Township of the Archipelago’s Site 9 Transfer Station. In addition to dismantling large frame docks, Ted has also been conscientious about collecting the blue Styrofoam pieces that escaped from older docks. Blackstone Lake Cottagers Association Andy Metelka Andy Metelka is an inspiring and dedicated volunteer not only in his community of Blackstone Lake, but also across all of eastern Georgian Bay. Andy’s passion for the critters and environment of Blackstone Lake is apparent in all that he does. As a skilled videographer, Andy is known for his stunning underwater videos of Blackstone Lake. In his videos, Andy opens up the world below the surface, showing just how friendly and smart snapping turtles and bass can be. He was even featured in Striking Balance, a TVO documentary series on Canadian biospheres, for his efforts to spark appreciation for aquatic life. In addition to videography, Andy is involved in a variety of stewardship projects, including phragmites removal, management of pond weed infestations, and improvement of bass nesting sites. As a GBA director, Andy has been the lead researcher and advocate about the significant TC Energy project in Meaford. He is also a valued member of the GBA Water Committee. Andy has also been locally instrumental in the Safe Quiet Lakes Decibel Coalition, which works to enhance existing legislation for boat motor noise. Most recently, he has been working to address the proposed new powerline that would cut across Blackstone Lake. 2025 Champions of the Bay Association Winners CHAMPION OF THE BAY By Katherine Denune, Chair, Guardians of the Bay Committee GBA’s Champions of the Bay Committee is thrilled to announce each association’s 2025 Champion of the Bay. We are honoured to recognize the outstanding contributions of these 18 stewards representing our associations from Honey Harbour in the south to the Bay of Islands in the north. We hope you will help us celebrate these incredible Champions in your community! Ted Simmonds with blue dock foam.
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 5 Cognashene Cottagers’ Association Jack Giroux As the environmental director for the CCA, Jack Giroux inspires environmental advocacy through community events and civic engagement. In particular, Jack has worked to bring leaders and scientists from Georgian Bay Forever (GBF), Georgian Bay Biosphere (GBB) and Georgian Bay Land Trust (GBLT) to community events, including this year’s revival of CCA’s Environment Day. He has also made special efforts, working with CCA’s recreational day camp, to provide environmental education for kids on a variety of topics, including water quality testing, habitat conservation, invasive species, and more. Jack also serves as a member of GBA’s Water Committee. Last year, Jack helped research the current threats of cruise ship discharge pollution in Georgian Bay. Last fall, he wrote a letter detailing the committee’s concerns regarding pollution from exhaust gas cleaning systems, also known as scrubbers. Jack and GBA Executive Director, Meredith Denning, presented this letter to Parry Sound–Muskoka Member of Parliament, Scott Aitchison, urging him to create a no-discharge-zone for Georgian Bay. Honey Harbour Association Sonya Lester You may know Sonya as the treasured yoga instructor in the Honey Harbour area, but this year, Sonya is famous for her efforts to quickly address a source of water pollution. Over Mother’s Day weekend, Sonya noticed a significant patch of brown water flowing from a small creek. Curious and concerned, Sonya and her husband, Ron, hiked inland to investigate and discovered a dismantled beaver dam and a newly dug 12 ft trench, which was draining a previously landlocked inland lake. They quickly contacted the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Natural Resources, who opened case files. The Township of Georgian Bay immediately sent their senior municipal law enforcement officers to the site. In response, GBF created an action plan to work with local townships in case a similar event occurs in other areas of Georgian Bay. I believe that it takes a commitment from our cottage community to look out for each other and our environment that we all cherish. Thank goodness the Bay is resilient, but it is not invincible. Water is life; protect it. – Sonya Lester Key River Area Association Andrew Hurlbut This year, Andrew Hurlbut achieved a notable milestone by restoring the darkness to Key River’s night sky. The KRAA is directly adjacent to the Henvey Inlet wind farm. Over the course of three and a half years, Andrew worked with Pattern Energy to encourage them to build a radar system that would turn on the red flashing navigation lights on the turbines only when an aircraft was in the airspace. Now the lights are out! Pattern was a great partner in achieving the lights-out goal. The light pollution was previously visible as far away as the Bustard Islands. Now hundreds of people can again enjoy the night sky as it was for millennia. – Carl Spiess In addition to serving as a director and secretary on GBA’s board, Andrew has played a key role in Safe Quiet Lake’s Decibel Coalition, which advocates for legislation to mitigate boat motor noise. The boat noise issue has been a top concern for our members and legislation is now being introduced to address it. Advocacy efforts that paid off! Andrew also volunteers for the Lake Partner Program, where he collects water samples and conducts Secchi disc tests in Henvey Inlet. Madawaska Club of Go Home Bay Eleanor Proctor Eleanor is known as the environment lady in our community. Without Eleanor, I fear that many rattlesnakes would be killed, as people are understandably afraid of them close to the cottage. – Brye Bonner Eleanor is passionate about environmental education and uses her online platforms to inspire people to appreciate and enjoy the unique nature of Georgian Bay. Through her posts, Eleanor shares her love of plant and animal identification and encourages everyone to pick up pollution. She is the one to call if a bird is found trapped or an animal hurt. – Brye Bonner Continues on next page Linda Bartlett holds a Secchi disc used to measure water clarity for the Lake Partner Program.
6 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 Manitou Association Cathy Coles & Darin Buckland Cathy Coles and Darin Buckland are stewardship superstars in the Manitou area. Every spring, for the last 20 years, this dynamic couple has collected loads of shoreline litter and delivered them to the Sheepshead Bay transfer station. They have also led the charge to remove and monitor phragmites. In particular, they have eradicated phragmites from sites near Moose Deer Point Marina and in a bay beside Camp Hurontario. In addition, they have run fire pump clinics and created a fire response app for quick communication in case of a fire. Cathy and Darin have been dedicated volunteers with GBF and GBLT for many years. A few years ago, they operated safety boats during a long-distance open water swim fundraiser for GBF. Driven by concerns over microplastic pollution, they promptly bought microfibre filters for their dishwasher and washing machine. Darin serves as a steward for Manitou Dock, a GBLT property and historical site where the Midland City steamship delivered supplies and mail to local cottagers. Cathy and Darin are very inclusive. They draw in new members and include them in environmental community projects. They are fun to be around, which attracts young people to also volunteer their time and love of the bay. – Judy Maynard McGregor Bay Association Doug Whitton Located in the northern section of Georgian Bay, McGregor Bay remained free of phragmites until a patch was found last year. In response, Doug Whitton swung into action and almost singlehandedly established the Phrag Free McGregor Bay initiative. Working with the Whitefish River First Nation, Doug mustered a group of volunteers, secured funding, acquired materials for removal, and arranged for a team from GBF to come up to McGregor Bay to demonstrate best practices for eradication. In less than a year, he had groups in the water cutting the invasive species. Most impressive of all, he reached out to the Whitefish River First Nation, with whom we share the Bay, and established a significant collaboration to identify the extent of the problem and expand the scope of the project. While Doug was working on the phragmites initiative, he became aware of a plan to dump radioactive waste from a distant mine into a site in the Spanish River, part of our watershed. By attending public meetings, he added our voice to local opposition and the plan was dropped. – Ian Cook Northern Georgian Bay Association Freda Klassen From her childhood growing up on a small dairy farm in southern Ontario, low-impact living has always been in Freda Klassen’s DNA. Freda is especially concerned about potential sources of water pollution and avidly encourages cottagers to update septic systems to lessen their impact on water quality. Some of her low-impact cottage principles include maintaining natural shorelines, minimizing nighttime lights to preserve the night sky, limiting boating excursions, using cedar instead of pressure-treated lumber for docks, and being a good neighbour to rattlesnakes. Freda is a founding member of the NGBA, a long-term GBA director, and a past chair of GBA’s Lands and Forests Committee. One of her most significant contributions was helping organize an early phragmites workshop and information forum for the GBA membership, which later became a valuable resource on the website. Freda and her husband, Bill, have also been welcoming hosts to graduate students of Dr. Pat Chow-Fraser from McMaster University while they study wetlands and fish in the Killarney area. Pointe Au Baril Islanders’ Association Catherine Fairlie As a fifth-generation cottager in Pointe au Baril, Cath has always been passionate about Georgian Bay and its conservation. In 2018, Cath took on the role of supervisor of PaBIA’s Marine Patrol. While overseeing the patrol, she collaborated with GBLT, GBF, GBB and the Lake Partner Program to focus the patrollers on environmental concerns. Cath organized trainings for the patrollers’ summer duties on LPP water testing, GBB rattlesnake gestation surveys, GBLT land stewardship practices and GBF-directed phragmites cuts. The program to remove and manage phragmites in PaBIA was so successful after conducting major cuts in 2018, 2019, and 2020, that current efforts now only focus on monitoring to ensure no new sites arise. In 2022, Cath was appointed director of Member Safety for PaBIA, taking on additional roles in fire preparedness, boating safety, and maps and markers. Cath’s initiatives to promote forest fire awareness and preparedness have included early-season contests encouraging families to start-up and practice using their fire pumps, as well as maintaining PaBIA’s five Wajax fire pumps. She has also collaborated with provincial fire authorities to produce a series of six articles on fire preparedness and response for outer islands, which are available on PaBIA’s website. Continued from page 5 Doug Whitton wades in to help with phragmites removal in McGregor Bay. Cathy Coles with a boatload of shoreline litter.
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 7 Sans Souci & Copperhead Association Jane-Anne Campbell Jane-Anne Campbell is an incredibly committed volunteer steward for the GBLT. Ever since the Umbrella Islands were donated to the Land Trust, Jane-Anne has made it her personal mission to make many trips a summer out to the islands to monitor for human impact, collect trash, and document the species she finds. She, along with her family, have also been hosts to many of GBLT’s staff making trips along the Bay over the years. Jane-Anne has a special appreciation for all wildlife, but especially for reptiles and birds. Last summer, Jane-Anne rescued an injured turtle with a cracked shell in Spider Bay. She immediately transported it to the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre in Peterborough. A few weeks later, once the turtle was healed and ready to be released, Jane-Anne again transported it back to Spider Bay. In addition to her rescue efforts, Jane-Anne successfully campaigned for turtle and reptile crossing signs along the Township of Archipelago roads to Woods Bay to prevent future incidents. Jane-Anne has also been a community leader in documenting breeding birds in the SSCA for the Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas. The Atlas is incredibly important for ornithologists as it provides localized data to map the distribution and abundance of breeding bird populations. South Channel Association Peter Adams Peter Adams’ enthusiasm and positivity about environmental conservation is wonderfully infectious! As the past environment chair for the SCA, Peter initiated many innovative and fun community stewardship projects. As an avid fisherman, Peter cares deeply about the health of the fishery and the availability of high-quality spawning grounds. Together with volunteers, he led a project to install brush bundles in predetermined locations to increase fish habitat. In addition to fish, Peter has a special fondness for reptiles and amphibians. He has made several turtle nest protectors and observation terrariums for anyone in the community to use. He regularly writes updates in SCA’s publication, On the Waterfront, on best stewardship practices, and often summarizes scientific studies. Peter and his wife, Beth, are both passionate about environmental education. Together, they have hosted many GBB-led events at their cottage and have served as the lead contacts for GBB’s Kids in the Biosphere program. Peter and Beth are also active phragbusters who jump in to help both in South Channel and in Sans Souci. Woods Bay Community Association Sue McPhedran As a founding member of the Friends of the Massasauga Park (FOMP), Sue McPhedran has worn many hats in the stewardship of the greater Woods Bay area. During her 10 years on the FOMP Board, Sue served as vice president and treasurer. She is very proud of all their successful projects, including trail maintenance, new signage, replacement of firepit grids designed by her students, creation of merchandise, and the construction of three shelters at popular trailheads. During her time on the GBA Board, Sue helped establish a phragmites working group to foster collaboration among cottage associations, enabling them to share ideas, challenges and successes. She helped host several virtual meetings that brought people together during the early phase of phragmites management on the Georgian Bay. Additionally, she worked with former board member Bill Steiss, chair of the Fisheries Committee, to submit a paper addressing the proposed revisions to the provincial Species at Risk Act. Community-At-Large Tom Buck When Tom Buck discovered TC Energy’s proposal to develop a large pumped storage facility on Department of National Defence lands near Meaford, he realized he needed to take action. Alarmed by the significant risks of increased fish mortality, water turbidity, water contamination, and habitat destruction, Tom spearheaded the creation of Save Georgian Bay (SGB), an entirely volunteer-driven grassroots group dedicated to blocking TCE’s project. For the past six years, Tom and SGB volunteers have remained resilient and committed to raising awareness and demanding transparency from TC Energy and federal agencies. His efforts helped shift the conversation from speculation to evidence, empowering citizens and local governments to ask hard questions and demand transparency from TC Energy and federal agencies. – Pasq Zita Ongoing advocacy includes engaging an environmental lawyer to develop SGB’s legal strategy, supporting focused land, water, and species research, petitioning the Auditor General of Ontario to review the project approval process, hosting the annual Save the Bay Polar Dip to raise awareness and funds, and organizing last summer’s SGB Flotilla to bring attention to TCE’s test drilling at their proposed intake site. Jane-Anne Campbell rescuing the injured turtle. Peter Adams builds a bat box.
8 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 The Vision 2050 initiative continues to build momentum and bring together partners across Georgian Bay to shape a long-term strategy for protecting the region’s ecological and environmental integrity. Georgian Bay’s globally recognized biodiversity and natural beauty face growing pressure from shoreline development, recreational use, climate change, ecosystem fragmentation, and more. These challenges underscore the need for a more coordinated, forward-looking regional plan. Collaboration with the project’s consulting firm, Urban Strategies (USI), has entered an active phase focused on developing a discussion paper to guide future conservation and protection efforts. This work builds on a comprehensive review of existing research, data, and conservation initiatives across the Bay. USI’s recent sessions with the Vision 2050 Advisory Council and Steering Committee have helped identify both the Bay’s most valuable natural assets and the pressures they face. These discussions have reinforced a shared recognition that while significant conservation work is already underway, greater coordination is needed to address gaps and reduce fragmentation. To support a shared understanding of place, USI has developed a visual “Canvas of Understanding,” which illustrates the ecological significance of Georgian Bay and the cumulative pressures it faces. This tool has helped ground conversations in a common perspective and will inform the discussion paper, which is anticipated for release in early summer. Two complementary research partnerships are also strengthening the project’s evidence base. First, the Vision 2050 team partnered with students from Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Urban and Regional Planning through their studio project program. Twelve TMU students presented a comprehensive report that used local, national, and international case studies to develop concrete recommendations in a dozen areas, including recreation activities, shoreline protection, invasive species, water quality, nature corridors, two-eyed seeing, and much more. Secondly, with support from Mitacs funding, graduate researcher Quinn Nolan (Dalhousie University) is developing a centralized database of conservation initiatives across Georgian Bay. His VISION 2050 PROJECT By Kate Bentley-Taylor, Vision 2050 Project Coordinator Advancing Vision 2050: Building Momentum Toward a Shared Future This map represents the study area included in the Vision 2050 discussion paper The Vision 20250 team travelled down to TMU for the final presentation by the studio project team on April 9.
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 9 work will identify overlaps, gaps, and opportunities for more strategic coordination among organizations, helping to address the current fragmentation of conservation efforts. In parallel, Quinn’s research will analyze leading examples of national and global protected and conserved areas to identify best practices that could be adapted to the Georgian Bay context. Together, these research efforts are helping to translate our complex challenges into proposed actionable approaches on a regional level. Our volunteers continue to expand their engagement with governments, municipalities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and First Nations. In addition to workshops and discussions, the project has received several highly insightful written submissions from key stakeholders, whose valuable perspectives are helping to shape the direction of the discussion paper. Ensuring Indigenous perspectives are meaningfully included remains a challenge, but also a central priority. We hope to organize a knowledge-sharing circle in the near future to garner Indigenous perspectives on the issues. The release of the Vision 2050 discussion paper will mark a key transition in the Vision 2050 process: moving from the research, understanding, and alignment phase, towards advocating for proposals made in the paper. The next phase of the project will, in collaboration with other stakeholders, explore how a shared regional vision can foster greater collaboration, partnerships, and on-the-ground conservation actions. Ultimately, Vision 2050 is not about starting from scratch, but about building on a strong foundation of protected and conserved areas, knowledge, relationships, and actions already in place across Georgian Bay. By strengthening coordination at a regional level and aligning efforts around a shared vision, we can achieve greater collective impact and advocate for official recognition of the unique ecological value of the region. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR By Meredith Denning, GBA Executive Director As we prepare for the summer, I am struck by how much there is to talk about and how much is going on. There are major infrastructure projects in the Georgian Bay watershed that deserve long-term cost-benefit analysis and full environmental impact assessments. We will be paying close attention to the TC Energy pumped-storage facility and the proposed expansion of the hydroelectric corridor, encouraging our provincial and federal governments to make thoughtful decisions about the long-term health of the Bay. A municipal election campaign will begin this August, and I hope that the timing will make it possible for many UPDATE readers to engage with their candidates in person. Our Water Committee will be tracking platforms and public statements with interest, so stay tuned for our eUpdates and social media posts when the campaign opens in August. The question of waste disposal is particularly acute in the Township of Georgian Bay this year, as water-access disposal facilities become more scarce and costly. Like large-item and hazardous waste disposal, these ever-present concerns affect all of the ratepayers who belong to our associations. We continue to support our associations as they help one another and address this evolving topic with municipal representatives. Please complete our survey about garbage (link on page 14) so we know where to focus our efforts! I hope that many of our readers will have had time to attend one of our online events this spring: the fish webinar, bat documentary streaming, and the Champions of the Bay awards ceremony! They are chock-full of interesting information and they show the loving care and deep expertise that our volunteers bring to GBA. Your local Champion is described right here in UPDATE. Stay tuned for more events in the fall, and in the meantime, have a great summer!
10 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 LANDS & FORESTS The Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth (GBAY) collective was created by Indigenous youth in 2018 to help revitalize Anishinaabek culture for the next generation. The primary way we do this is by connecting Indigenous youth to land-based learning opportunities around eastern Georgian Bay. These experiences help build a stronger sense of identity and belonging, and develop life skills and community cultural connections. We are proud to be an entirely Indigenous youth-led initiative in partnership with the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere (GBB). By working together, we are able to reach new audiences, expand programming, share learning opportunities, and even an office space! Together both GBB and GBAY uplift culture and language, providing safe spaces for Anishinaabek youth. The foundation of our work is Anishinaabe nendamwin (thought and philosophy) and naadziwin (way of life). Due to policies of assimilation, such as the Indian Act and residential schools, severe damage was caused to traditional Anishinaabek food harvest knowledge, forcibly disrupting intergenerational teaching, restricting access to ancestral lands, and intentionally devaluing Indigenous ways of life. In many places, Anishinaabek traditional food harvest practices are being revitalized through a combination of cultural initiatives, ecological restoration, community programs, and advocacy for food sovereignty. We reach youth throughout the year with cultural camps in each season. Nkokiinoonwin (Seasons) is a project that is revitalizing our culture. Each year, we offer a series of land-based workshops to teach traditional Anishinaabek harvesting practices to Indigenous youth. Beginning in November, we engage dozens of Indigenous youth across eastern Georgian Bay in traditional food practices. We host workshops where Elders serve as cultural mentors to youth participants. This intergenerational learning process helps revitalize techniques and reaffirms our profound relationship with the natural world—a relationship characterized by the values of respect, reciprocity, and responsibility. By passing down stories and teachings that guide sustainable harvesting practices to youth, these traditions can continue to thrive for future generations. There are workshops planned for each season, most in partnership with a First Nation or Indigenous organization: W Fall - hide tanning follows the annual hunt. Over one week, teaches participants how to transform the skins of deer and moose into rawhide and brain-tanned hides that are then used in many cultural items. W Winter - storytelling season is a time to share knowledge and crafting skills. Traditional traplines and food preparation is a long-term goal for the youth. W Spring - annual harvest of maple syrup is available to youth. Community feasts are held, followed by evening spear fishing for walleye (ogaa) with host communities. W Summer - annual canoe trips to get youth out on the land and participate in identifying plant medicines, berry-picking, and fishing, along with different cooking methods. At the end of each year, it is our goal that more Indigenous youth are able to assert their sovereignty over traditional land-based food systems, and that they will be more confident on the land, and more connected with their culture and their language. You can follow our journey on social media @gbayanishinaabekyouth and support our work at georgianbaybiosphere.com/anishinaabek-youth. Connecting with Traditional Anishinaabek Foods By Meaghan Tabobondung, Cultural Programs Manager, Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth Youth cleaning hides at Hide Camp 2025 Photo: Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth Naming ceremony for Oshkinigig the canoe, with Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth in 2019 Photo: Georgian Bay Anishinaabek Youth
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 11 By the time the sun touched the granite shoulders of the Mink Islands each morning, Glen Parr was already out on the water. Born in 1938 to a family where fishing was a way of life, Glen upheld a tradition that had supported Georgian Bay communities for more than 100 years. His death in 2024 marked not just the loss of a man, but also a vital connection to its rich working-waterfront heritage. A Way of Life on the Bay Commercial fishing in Carling thrived from the late 1800s to the 1940s. Families built their lives on the water, with camps scattered across the Bay—most notably on the Mink Islands, where up to 100 people lived each summer. Life in the camps was challenging, yet the community remained closely knit. They had icehouses, net houses, warehouses, a church, and simple wooden shacks to support families facing the Bay’s unpredictable weather. A floating grocery boat visited twice weekly, and a goat provided milk. Meals were frequently shared among families. In the evenings, fiddlers played reels and jigs as families danced to shake off the long days. The work was relentless. Men would haul 150 boxes of fish to Parry Sound twice weekly, often after a full day on the water, before loading coal and supplies for the return trip. Nets had to be pulled from depths of 180 feet. Cotton and linen nets were boiled in lime water every fall to prevent rot. In the early years, fishermen used small Mackinaw boats, but later moved to motorized craft, which offered greater speed. The Parr Family Legacy The Parrs were central to this tradition. Glen’s grandfather, William Alexander “Sandy” Parr began fishing out of Collingwood in the late 1800s before moving to Thunder Beach and, in 1924, to the Umbrella Islands in Sans Souci, with his wife, Ada (Pomphrey), and their seven children. In 1926, after the steamer Dolphin sank off Killbear Point, the Parrs salvaged and rebuilt it as a fishing boat, using it until 1957, when it caught fire—this time while anchored in Snug Harbour. By the early 1930s, the Parrs were firmly established on the Mink Islands. Their camps housed crews and families, their nets stretched for miles across the Bay. Their way of life reflected resilience, creativity, and a profound respect for the waters that supported them. From Work to Recreation While commercial fishing fed Carling’s communities for decades, change was inevitable. In the 1920s and ’30s, city anglers arrived by train and steamer, hiring local guides to access secret fishing spots where bass, pickerel, whitefish, and lake trout abounded. Many visitors returned with a catch and a lasting impression of life on the Bay, going on to buy properties that would eventually shape today’s cottage communities. Glen Parr: The Last Link Introduced to fishing as a boy, Glen built a lifelong career on the Bay. Glen was just two months old when he first went out to the Minks, and by the time he was seven or eight, he’d join his father, Chuck, and the other commercial fishermen on the steam tug. After a brief time working in southern Ontario, he returned to Parry Sound and founded Parr Fisheries in 1975, operating until 2004. “I loved going out,” he said. “Sometimes my dad would rig up a line to troll behind the boat for lake trout, and I caught some pretty ones.” But for Glen, the real highlight was a packed lunch of sandwiches, cookies, and homemade pies from the island cook. As a boy, summers meant hauling water by hand, mending nets, and learning to read the Bay’s winds as if they were a language. By adulthood, he had become a third-generation fisherman, carrying forward a trade that was already vanishing. “Those islands were our whole world,” he once recalled. “You worked, you swam, you explored—you learned the Bay because the Bay kept you honest.” In later years, he swapped fishing boats for a jet ski, charting new paths among the islands and indulging a lifelong fascination with shipwrecks—especially the Asia, (see: https://bit.ly/ GBASummer22) lost to the Bay’s depths. Even into his eighties, curiosity kept him returning to the waters that had shaped him. When Glen passed away in 2024, his request was simple: if you pass the Mink Islands, raise a drink in his honour. A small gesture, perhaps, but a fitting one. A toast not just to Glen, but to all those who made a living from the Bay’s cold waters, danced in island shanties, hauled nets by hand, and built families through sheer grit. Their stories continue to ride every wave and whisper with every wind that blows across the islands. HISTORY By Allison Needham, Chair, Membership Committee Glen Parr: One of the Last of the Bay Fishermen Glen Parr, whose life was anchored in Georgian Bay—from boyhood summers at the Minks, through a career in commercial fishing, to later years spent sharing the water with his children and grandchildren. The Andarlin, Glen’s custom-built fishing boat, carried the names of his children—Ann, Darren, and Colin—marking the family legacy behind his life on the Bay.
12 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 On January 20, GBA gathered with retail boating companies for the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) annual industry meeting. The latest data proves that recreational boating remains a solid contributor to the Canadian economy. According to the NMMA, the sector contributes $9.2 billion to Canada’s GDP. It’s more than just leisure. The boating industry provides a livelihood for 80,500 Canadians, many of whom live and work in rural communities. From $5.4 billion in labour income to $4.6 billion in tax revenue, the industry fuels the infrastructure that makes our summers on the Bay possible and enjoyable! Boat Sales & Market Trends The 2024 data reflects a more cautious consumer climate. Outboards continue to be the dominant choice in the market, accounting for 48% of all new retail sales, though this segment saw a 7.3% decline compared to 2023. The most significant shift occurred in the personal watercraft (PWC) market, where new unit sales dropped by 18.2%. The pre-owned market remained a steady anchor for the industry; used sales for both outboards (43%) and PWCs (19%) held firm, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Preliminary numbers for 2025 showed some improvement for new and used vessels. Who’s on the Water? Beyond the showroom, Transport Canada’s latest licensing data reveals a vibrant boating community. In 2025, over 109,000 Pleasure Craft Licenses (PCL) were issued nationwide, with Ontario accounting for nearly half (47,434). Even more telling is the surge in new boaters: 161,926 Pleasure Craft Operator Cards (PCOC) were issued last year alone, with 65,296 of those in Ontario. When you look at the total issuance for the last six years, we now have approximately 785,000 more vessels (10 hp or greater) and more than one million newly qualified operators on Canadian waters. Add in the explosion of human-powered craft—paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes—and it’s clear: the trend to busier waterways will continue. The OPP 2025 Boating Safety Report The 2025 season saw 19 marine fatalities, a number that remains tragically high given that the vast majority were preventable. The data paints a specific profile of risk: the typical victim is an adult male on a small vessel who is not wearing a lifejacket. By Andrew Hurlbut, Chair, Boating, Safety, and Emergencies Committee BOATING The State of the Canadian Boating Industry
Spring / Summer 2026 • GBA UPDATE 13 The Myth of the Safe Condition A common misconception is that danger on the water only exists during storms or high winds. However, out of 19 recent fatalities, 18 occurred when environmental conditions were clear; only one involved strong winds. These tragedies often happen when people least expect danger: close to shore and in calm waters and with unexpected immersion. Tragedy often strikes through sudden, unpredictable events: W Capsizing: Accounted for 10 of the 2025 fatalities W Falling overboard: Claimed six lives W Collisions and swamping: Responsible for the remaining deaths Trying to put on a lifejacket while already in the water is nearly impossible. Experts compare it to trying to buckle a seatbelt in the middle of a car crash. The Cold Shock Factor For those of us on Georgian Bay and other inland lakes, the summer window is smaller than you think. Water is considered dangerously cold before June 15 and after September 15. Spring/fall fatalities: 10 deaths occurred during the coldwater months (three in April, one in May, 3 in June, and three in September). Sudden immersion in water below 15°C can cause cold shock, leading to an involuntary gasp that can fill the lungs with water in seconds. A lifejacket is the only tool that keeps your head above water if you are gasping or incapacitated by the cold. Key Insights for 2025 W Wear a personal floatation device (PFD): Of the 19 fatalities last year, 15 were not wearing a lifejacket. WPeak danger: Fatalities were most frequent on Saturdays (5) and Mondays (4). The high-risk window is overwhelmingly in the afternoon, with 68.4% of incidents occurring between noon and 6:00 p.m. W Vessel risk: Small craft remain the primary concern. Canoes accounted for the highest number of fatalities (7), followed by bow riders (3) and PWCs (3). Notably, 100% of fatalities involved vessels six metres or smaller. W Demographic spread: While age groups from 15 to 64 saw similar fatality rates (approx. 15.8% each), there was a notable spike in the 75+ age group (10.5%). No fatalities were recorded for those under 15 or between 65–74. W A false sense of security: 95% of incidents occurred in clear weather and 79% of these victims were not wearing lifejackets, reinforcing the danger of complacency in calm conditions. Enforcement and Prevention: By the Numbers The OPP conducted 29,284 vessel checks last year. While many boaters were compliant, the volume of charges indicates a need to do better: W Impairment: Officers issued 30 “warn range” suspensions and laid 29 criminal charges for impaired operation. W Alcohol and liquor: 589 Liquor Act charges were issued, as alcohol remains a top factor in decision-making errors. W General Compliance: Over 1,300 marine charges (CSA 2001) and 7,320 warnings were issued, mostly related to missing safety equipment or improper licensing. Protect Yourself and Others: Wear Your Lifejacket! W Wear it every time: Modern lifejackets are lightweight and comfortable. Inflatable options provide full mobility for fishing or paddling without the bulk. W Set the example: Research shows passengers are 46 times more likely to wear a lifejacket if the boat operator is wearing one. W Know the law: Operating even a human-powered vessel (like a kayak) without a lifejacket can result in significant fines—often upwards of $240 in Ontario. Most of the 2025 deaths on the water resulted from unexpected immersion. A lifejacket cannot save your life if it is tucked under a seat or at the bottom of the boat; you simply won’t have time to find it and put it on. This season, make the choice to come home safely every time. Don’t just bring it—wear it.
14 GBA UPDATE • Spring / Summer 2026 GBA UPDATE is printed by Warren’s Waterless Printing, Canada’s leading environmental printer, using high-quality waterless print technology on Enviro 100% recycled paper. The waterless printing process eliminates the use of fresh water and greatly reduces the use of harmful chemical compounds. Distributed under Canada Publication Mail Sales Agreement # 40038178 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: GBA c/o SHANNON FARQUHARSON, Communications & Executive Services Coordinator 138 Hopedale Avenue, Toronto ON M4K 3M7 (416) 937-4990 • sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca Patrons of GBA: The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. John Ralston Saul, C.C. The Georgian Bay Association is an advocacy umbrella group representing 18 community associations and their members – approximately 3,000 families comprising over 30,000 individuals. GBA UPDATE is published by the Georgian Bay Association 2026 Publication Schedule Issue Distribution Date Spring / Summer May Fall / Winter October GBA Mission Statement: To work with our water-based communities and other stakeholders to ensure the careful stewardship of the greater Georgian Bay environment. GBA UPDATE is mailed to all members of all GBA member associations, friends, other stakeholders and interest groups. Bulk copies can be made available to full member associations to include with their mailings. Material may be reprinted in GBA member association newsletters provided that the source is acknowledged. Letters to the editor are welcome. Please send address corrections and changes to the address below. President: Alan Stratton email: astratton@georgianbay.ca Executive Director: Meredith Denning email: executivedirector@georgianbay.ca Managing Editor: Liz Phillips email: editor@georgianbay.ca Advertising: Shannon Farquharson email: sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca Webmaster: Shannon Farquharson email: sfarquharson@georgianbay.ca GBA website: www.georgianbay.ca Facebook: www.facebook.com/GBayAssociation Your Voice on the Bay GBA THANKS JUNCTION59 for their services supporting our eUpdate, website and our social media channels Marc Cooper 416.481.4861 junction59.com This publication designed and layout by 705.636.7319 • www.jcldesign.ca Helping you to achieve your vision Subscribe to GBA eUPDATE email news updates by clicking the link at www.georgianbay.ca
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