The future restoration and well-being of Lake Simcoe is at the centre of an initiative announced Thursday afternoon at Queen’s Park by Environment Minister John Gerretsen.

The province will ask citizens, as well as scientists, for their help and expertise on how to best protect Lake Simcoe’s water quality for future generations.

The first step will be the preparation of a discussion paper that will include a variety of measures designed to enhance the lake’s health, such as financial assistance to farmers and other groups to develop stewardship activities.

A Lake Simcoe Science Advisory Committee will be created, too.

“I want our strategy for protecting Lake Simcoe to set the gold standard for creating sustainable communities that safeguard the environment they depend on and enjoy,” Gerretsen said.

New interim limits on phosphorous coming from municipal and industrial sewage plants will be in effect April 1. These limits will help protect Lake Simcoe from its primary threat, while the government continues to develop its long-term protection strategy, Gerretsen said.

For Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll, the announcement serves as, “a great opportunity to work together on improved protection for Lake Simcoe that will ultimately benefit hundreds of thousands of people, and serve as a model for protecting Ontario’s lakes and watersheds.”

The Liberal government is taking proactive steps now because Lake Simcoe, Gerretsen noted, “is under threat. The communities around the lake know that it’s time to come together and take action.”

In recent years, efforts by the province, the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority, municipalities, industry, community groups, organizations, farmers and concerned individuals have worked to reduce phosphorous levels entering the lake.

Public consultation is “a very critical step” in the process,” Carroll says. “It’s not about money – it’s about getting the best advice possible. The scientists, and public, will advise us on what the legislation should contain and how we plan for new development with a new Lake Simcoe Act in place.

“We will benefit from the consultation with the experts, and the people who live around the lake who have a lot to say about how the lake should be protected. Our government perceives this as a very serious issue. We will learn from the people who know what Lake Simcoe needs.”

Meantime, federal York Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan is none too impressed with what he heard. 

Van Loan, who serves as government house leader in the Harper government, is calling on the provincial government to stop studying and take action.

"The time for study is over.  It is now time to act to clean up Lake Simcoe," said Van Loan. "I call upon the provincial government to match the $30M in federal funding the Federal Government announced last month to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe." 

In February, Van Loan, alongside Environment Minister John Baird, Minister of the Environment, announced that the federal government will provide $30 million over five years to preserve and protect the environment of Lake Simcoe. Last week, residents, community groups, stakeholders, and others made application for the first round of federal funding.  Money will start flowing this year. 

"The federal government is leading the way to clean up Lake Simcoe," continued Van Loan. 

"While the provincial government announcement says they want a 'gold standard' for Lake Simcoe's environment, they aren't providing any gold. It's time to step up, match the federal dollars and actually do something." 

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