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.
As the first weekend of the provincial Stay at Home legislation lockdown begins, members of the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) want to remind all persons who do venture outdoors that area ice surfaces may be snow covered and appear safe to travel on. Unfortunately, locally we have not had the kind of cold weather required for the formation of ice required for winter activities so if ice travel is necessary please check with local residents and fish hut operators before heading out on any ice surface- Know Before You GO. Detachment officers will be on snowmobile patrol this weekend checking for impaired snowmobile operators as well as for proper equipment, permits and monitoring riders speed while on the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Club
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada between 25 and 30 Canadians die in ice-related incidents each year and many more have to be rescued. As the weather gets colder, it is enticing to want to venture out onto the ice. It is important to remember that the most dangerous time to be on the ice is in early winter and late spring when the ice can be less stable. If you are going out on the ice: always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return know the waters under the ice you will be on - depth and currents can impact the thickness and strength watch the weather, as temperature fluctuations and precipitation may soften the ice avoid slushy ice, untracked ice or ice near moving waters or dock bubblers The following is a list of 10 Ice Saf
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels, but all the lakes are continuing their seasonal declines. 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 and Michigan-Huron are both down 3 inches, and Lakes St Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 1, 2 & 2 inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 6, 6, 1, 0 & 12 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 9, 31, 32, 28 & 4 inches, respectively, above their long term Ja
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels, but all the lakes are continuing their seasonal declines. 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 and Michigan-Huron, St Clair & Erie & are down 4, 2, 4, & 0 inches respectively, and Lake Ontario is up 2 inches. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 6, 6, 2, 1 & 14 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 10, 32, 29, 26 & 4 inches, respectively, above their long te
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels, but all the lakes are continuing their seasonal declines. 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 and Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 3, 3, 3, 1 & 0 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 3, 4, 3, 2 & 16 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 8, 30, 26, 24 & 2 inches, respectively, above their long term December average. All the l
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels, but all the lakes are continuing their seasonal declines. 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 and Michigan-Huron, are down 4 & 2 inches respectively, while Lakes St Clair, Erie & Ontario are up 4, 3 & 1 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron & Ontario, are lower by 5, 4, & 16 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year, while Lakes St Clair & Erie are up 2 & 1 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 8, 3
As Canadian winters are becoming warmer, new research suggests that youth are particularly vulnerable to winter drownings. In a recently published study looking at stats across 10 countries, children under the age of 9 made up 44% of the winter drownings that did not involve a vehicle. In cases with vehicles, such as snowmobiles, most of the deaths were in those younger that 24 years old. - The research found that most of the drownings occurred when the temperature was between -5 °C and 0ºC and often included other factors that can weaken ice such as freeze-thaw and rain events. Read more here.
The International Joint Commission (IJC) recently released its triennial progress report on Great Lakes water quality. GBA joined the discussion on this report in which the IJC summarized the results of their latest public consultations, which showed that climate change concerns have become the #1 issue. They also released their progress report, which can be found here.
This portal now enables individuals to directly support special projects and important initiatives of GBA, which require funding from outside of our regular annual operating budget. Please find background information here or simply make a contribution here.
Water levels continue to be well above average and near record high levels, but all the lakes are continuing their seasonal declines. 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 & Ontario are down 4, 2, 2, 2 & 0 inches respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario, are lower by 4, 4, 2, 1 & 15 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St Clair, Erie & Ontario are 9, 31, 27, 24 & 3 inches, respectively, above their long term December average. All the lakes
Parry Sound has a perennial need for housing that is both affordable and fits families. Area businesses cite this lack of adequate housing as a hinderance to attracting qualified staff. This long-standing problem affects the availability of contracting, marina and other services for seasonal residents. GBA has long been a proponent of the need to address the matter and for the federal and provincial governments to provide appropriate support to municipalities to find ways to increase the supply without negatively impacting the environment. Read more here. -
GBA has added its voice objecting to the Ontario Government’s application of Minister’s Zoning Orders (MZOs) to override normal planning and environmental approval processes to facilitate development projects involving two provincially significant wetlands. The two projects in Vaughan and Pickering authorized the destruction of wetlands in favour of commercial interests. The use of the MZOs in these instances sets a dangerous precedent as MZOs bypass municipal rules and regulations. MZOs also require no public notice, no public comment process and are not subject to appeal. GBA is strongly opposed to the precedent being set and is calling on the government to respect and uphold the protection of all provincially significant wetlands in Ontario. - Read GBA’s submission here and a re
