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January 2025

Invasive Sea Lamprey Populations in the Great Lakes Surge After Pandemic

A recent report from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC) reveals that sea lamprey populations have spiked in all five Great Lakes due to a significant reduction in control efforts in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The commission reports that the number of adult sea lampreys captured in 2024 was 8,619 more than the three-year pre-COVID average of 38,167 (2017-2019). The largest increases were observed in Lakes Superior and Ontario. Although still above target, lakes Michigan, Huron, and Erie have seen flattening trends in abundance since treatments returned to pre-pandemic levels. The report also notes that elevated and variable adult sea lamprey abundances should be expected over the next year or two before turning bac

January 2025

Capital Gains Tax Changes are in Limbo but CRA is Still Collecting

The recent resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the prorogation of Parliament have left several tax changes in limbo, including proposed changes to the capital gains tax. The 2024 federal budget had proposed an increase to the capital gains inclusion rate from 50% to 66.67% on gains greater than $250,000 realized on or after June 25, 2024. However, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has confirmed it will continue to manage the tax under the proposed rules included in the Notice of Ways and Means Motion tabled on September 23, 2024 and will be issuing forms to allow taxpayers to file in accordance with the new capital gains rules by January 31, 2025. For now, taxpayers have two options: Pay capital gains tax at the higher inclusion rate To avoid poten

January 2025

January 5 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is 8 inches below its level at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are each down 2 inches, Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 7, 3 & 3 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 5, 8, 2, 4 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are 9 & 6 inches above their long-term January averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are all 4 inches below their long-term January averages. All the lakes remain well below their January record highs. - In a month, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & St. Clair are expected to fall by 2, 1 & 4 inches, respectively. Lake Erie

December 2024

December 29 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 8 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 4, 2, 1, & 1 inches respectively, and Lake Ontario is up 2 inches. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 6, 8, 7, 6 & 3 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are 2 & 4 inches above their long-term December averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 8, 5, & 4 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their December record highs. - In a month’s time, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 3 & 2 inches, respectively, while Lake S

December 2024

Trim Your Trees This Winter to Help Protect Your Property From Wildfires

Did you know winter is the best time to prune your coniferous trees? Did you also know that removing low-lying branches is a great way to help reduce the spread of wildfires? With the trees in a dormant state, pruning is less stressful for the tree, there's little risk of insect infestation and you can more easily identify and remove necessary branches. By pruning live or dead branches from the ground up to 2 metres up the trunk, you'll promote healthy tree growth, reduce potential fuel for wildfires, and create a defensible space around your home to better protect your property! So if you're looking to spend some time outside this winter, consider cleaning up your conifers and help make your property more wildfire resilient! Learn more about making your property wildfire resilien

December 2024

December 22 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is now 9 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, 4, 2, & 2 inches respectively, and Lake Ontario is up 2 inches. Lakes Superior Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 4, 9, 6, 5 & 2 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes St. Clair & Erie are 1 & 4 inches above their long-term December averages, and Lakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron & Ontario are 6, 6, & 3 inches below, respectively. All the lakes remain well below their December record highs. - In a month’s time, Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Erie are expected to fall by 3, 2 & 1 inches, respectively.

December 2024

what3words Helps Locate an Injured Hiker in Frontenac Provincial Park

A dramatic rescue operation was undertaken in Ontario's Frontenac Provincial Park on December 8, 2024, after a 30-year-old female hiker slipped and fell down an embankment, injuring her leg. Her fellow hikers contacted emergency services, who were able to pinpoint her location by using the what3words app. Once on the scene, a paramedic firefighter determined that the hiker had likely broken her leg. Due to the remote location and deteriorating conditions, it was decided that airlifting the hiker to hospital was the safest option. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were contacted for air support, and a search and rescue helicopter from the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Trenton was dispatched to airlift the hiker to Kingston General Hospital for medi

December 2024

Second Person Charged in Connection With Bobs Lake Boat Crash

A second person is facing charges in connection with the fatal boat collision on Bobs Lake that occurred on May 18, 2024, killing three and injuring five others. The operator of the fishing-style boat that was struck now faces charges under the Canada Shipping Act for allegedly failing to display the boat's required lights and not having enough lifejackets. He will appear in court on January 13, 2025. The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. in the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, roughly 140 kilometres southwest of Ottawa, when a speedboat struck a small fishing-style boat, ending up on top of it. The driver of the speed boat was charged in October with 12 criminal offences, including three counts each of dangerous operation of a conveyance causing death, dangerous operation of a conve

December 2024

Vol 34 No. 3 Fall 2024

December 2024

GBA Requests Added Federal Oversight of Aquaculture Operations in Lake Huron

GBA’s Aquaculture committee has written to Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada (ECCC), to ask for more federal oversight on the industry to mitigate ecological damage and to ensure compliance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. GBA also made several recommendations, including: Expanding aquaculture research in Lake Huron to better understand the impacts of this industry and eliminate the research gaps. Expanding ECCC and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) oversight of the industry to ensure that regulations are enforced and the environment is protected. Convening a working group for transparency and collaboration among stakeholders. Moving the

December 2024

IJC's 2024 Poll Reveals Overwhelming Support for Great Lakes Protection

Earlier this spring GBA asked you to help the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Board by participating in their fourth Great Lakes Regional Poll. The results are now in, and of the more than 4,500 Canadians and Americans surveyed, the majority of respondents find Great Lakes protection and investments essential to the region's economy and quality of life. Key findings: Respondents expressed nearly unanimous support (96%) for the importance of government investment in Great Lakes protections More than 9 in 10 respondents (94%) believe it is important to protect the Great Lakes, up from 85% in 2015's survey Four in 5 (80%) respondents agree the region’s economy will suffer if the Great Lakes are not healthy Invasive species and pollution se

December 2024

Help Lead the Way! Apply to Become GBA's Next Executive Director

We are searching for an exceptional person to become the next leader of our Georgian Bay Association. As the voice of our 18-member associations, we advocate on issues that impact our members and help preserve and protect Georgian Bay's unique and fragile ecosystems. For over a century, the GBA has championed sustainable development, influenced environmental policy, and engaged member associations and communities to safeguard the future of this precious region. As Executive Director, you will play a vital role in driving the execution of GBA’s vision and mission and work closely with our Board to implement strategies, plans and policies that protect Georgian Bay for future generations. This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate leader to drive environmental advocacy and to make

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2020-Feb-13