GBA 2021 - Summer Update

9 www.georgianbay.ca GBA UPDATE Summer 2021 unanimous all-party support in the Ontario legislature and became law on May 13. ≥ GBA and GBF will work together with our partners, including the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA) and Boating Ontario, to make sure the source of this ubiquitous pollutant is eradicated. Open Net Pen Aquaculture in Georgian Bay ≥ GBA’s Aquaculture Committee received a welcome boost in 2020 with the addition of well-qualified volunteers. ≥ Many submissions were made to the federal and provincial governments, more are planned, and work will continue to be focused on the new federal Aquaculture Act, the environmental assessment categorization, and licence renewals for existing open net pen operations in Georgian Bay and the North Channel, along with other aquaculture matters. ≥ GBA has been working successfully for 22 years to limit expansion of this industry and to have these open net pen operations either move to closed-containment systems, or land-based facilities. TC Energy Pump-Storage Reservoir Mega-Project ≥ GBA has been a major participant in getting TC Energy to rethink and redesign their proposed pump storage mega- project at Meaford. ≥ The new design eliminates most of the initial environmental impact concerns for this project – the largest civil works installation on Georgian Bay that we have ever addressed. Highlighting the adverse impact this project would have on CO 2 emissions, among other outstanding concerns, may have temporarily stalled progress on federal government approvals. ≥ More action will be needed in the future to ensure environmental impacts are fully mitigated, or the project will be cancelled. Boating, Safety & Emergencies ≥ This committee, led by Andrew Hurlbut of Key River, has worked tirelessly to keep members up to date on all key information on boating, safety and emergency issues important to all of us. ≥ The newly updated Boating, Safety & Emergencies webpage includes information on a wide range of issues, including a comprehensive insurance guide: bit.ly/33HLUKT ≥ In addition, keep your eye out for the new Georgian Bay for Everyone poster which will be posted this summer in marinas, along with handouts for boaters and cottagers, and digital copies for GBA members. To read more about what the GBA is doing for you today, visit us online at georgianbay.ca Not Yet a Member? Sign up! If you are reading this, you are probably already a member of your local cottage association, which means part of your membership fee flows to the GBA. This means you are also a member of GBA, and your voice has been added to those of your neighbours to strengthen the GBA’s impact at every level of government. If you’re not a member of your local cottage association, please consider joining today so your voice can be amplified as well. Politicians listen to large blocks of voters. They hear us when we say that significant numbers of families take issue with a particular matter and are concerned about preserving a healthy Georgian Bay – both now and in the future. We are grateful for your help to protect and preserve our shared ecosystem for today and for future generations.