Protection of the waters of Georgian Bay is something that resonates with all who live, work and play on the Bay and all living beings that depend on these waters for their very existence. The following video contains a powerful message in this regard from a young member of the Wiikwemkoong First Nation.
The Great Lakes basin experienced much higher than average temperatures over the past week. Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie and Ontario are up 2, 0, 1, 2 and 4 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 7, 13, 15, 17 & 28 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Erie are 7, 22, 19, & 15 inches, respectively, above their long term April
GBA continues to liaise closely with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) who have been helpful in providing us with updates and, in the past, resolving such issues as the valuations for small undevelopable islands. - Read the update on 2021 assessments from MPAC here: - As part of the Ontario Government’s Budget on March 24, the Minister of Finance announced the Province’s decision to once again postpone a province-wide property assessment update due to the pandemic. - Property assessments for the 2022 property tax year will continue to be based on January 1, 2016 current values. This means your property assessment remains the same as it was for the 2021 tax year, unless there have been changes to your property, for example: - A change to your prop
Ontario has declared its third provincewide state of emergency, issuing a stay-at-home order effective 12:01 a.m. Thursday April 8. The stay-at-home order requires all Ontarians to remain at home except for essential purposes such as grocery shopping, health-care services, exercise, and work that cannot be done remotely. The government is asking people to stay home and maintain which means that trips to a cottage or second residence should be avoided unless it is for emergency purposes. Marinas are among the business deemed essential. Marinas, boating clubs and other organizations that maintain docking facilities can continue to operate with conditions in place. First Nations access may be limited to comply with stay-at-home orders. If you must travel, please check ahead. The stay-at
The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) has formed Circular Great Lakes, whose ultimate aim is to ensure valuable materials never become waste or pollution in the Great Lakes, starting with plastics. GBA has been working on these issues for decades, most recently helping Norm Miller with his bill to eliminate the use of unencapsulated dock foam, with Georgian Bay Forever. - Read more here. -
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie and Ontario are up 0, 0, 2, 2 and 3 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 6, 13, 15, 18 & 27 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Erie are 7, 22, 20, & 15 inches, respectively, above their long term April average, whereas Lake Ontario is 13 inches below. All the lakes are now well below theirÂ
Yet again provisions to undermine environmental protections are being snuck into other legislation. In this case including in Bill 257 Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021, a Schedule 3, which proposes to amend the Planning Act so that both existing and future Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) would no longer have to be consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS). - Read more here. -
Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Norm Miller’s private member’s Bill 228, Keeping Polystyrene Out of Ontario’s Lakes and Rivers Act was unanimously passed after being reviewed by Ontario’s Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. The efforts of GBA, Georgian Bay Forever, Federation of Ontario Cottager’s Association, Township of the Archipelago and others to support this bill are bearing fruit as the proposed legislation is moving toward the third and final reading – we will keep you posted. - Read more here. - You can help move this bill over the finish line by sending an email to your local MPP to ask them to support this important piece of legislation to keep this pollutant out of our Bay. Click here to find your MPP and send a quick email.
In the coming month, water levels are expected to rise on all lakes. Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are forecast to rise by 2 to 3 inches, while Lakes St. Clair and Erie are forecast to rise by 5 inches, and Lake Ontario is forecast to rise 9 inches by April 26th. Over the last two weeks temperatures have been above average, but this is not expected to continue over the next week. Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair and Ontario are down 1, 2, 0 and 1 inches respectively, and Lake Eri
GBA is renewing efforts to persuade the various levels of government to allow an exemption or variation from the rule banning non-essential cross-border travel for US citizens who own a seasonal property in Canada in time for the 2021 cottage season, when safe to do so, and with appropriate isolation, vaccination, and other conditions. Arguments include the very low risk to Canadians posed by our American friends and neighbours visiting their Georgian Bay homes. Read more here.
A watershed conditions statement for water safety has been issued for the Parry Sound District. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is advising that high flows, melting ice, and expected precipitation may cause hazards for boaters and anglers and may create slippery and unstable shoreline conditions. Flooding is not expected at this time, but residents and visitors should exercise caution while around water bodies and maintain close supervision of children and pets. This statement is in effect until Wednesday, March 31. See the statement here.
For the past ten years, the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC) has been negotiating to purchase the private Skyline Nature Reserve, which includes a long stretch of the celebrated Heaven’s Gate Trail. This 1,984-acre land parcel will provide a link between Killarney Provincial Park and other protected lands along the Northeast Shore of Bay of Islands. On February 2, 2021, the vendor agreed to protect the land and accepted EBC’s offer of purchase. Protecting this land will ensure cleaner air, cleaner water, carbon sequestered, biodiversity saved, and places kept for generations to come for hiking or just sitting on a rock marveling at the landscape. For further information, please visit: https://escarpment.ca/about/campaigns/save-la-cloche-mountainsÂ
Over the last two weeks temperatures have been above average, but this is not expected to continue over the next week. Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels. Lake Michigan-Huron continues to be below the level it was at this time last year – see first graph below. All the lakes are now lower than they were at this time last year. - From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair and Ontario are all down 2 inches, and Lake Erie is up 1 inch. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 7, 11, 11, 15 & 28 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Erie are 6, 24, 24, & 19 inches, respectively, ab
