Delivering results for Lake Simcoe
by Hon. Peter Van Loan, MP York-Simcoe

You have told me that the health and well-being of Lake Simcoe is one of your greatest concerns. As your Member of Parliament, I have listened to your concerns and worked hard to see Lake Simcoe's environment protected for generations to come. I am happy to report that Budget 2007 allocates an unprecedented $12 million in Federal funds over two years to restore and protect Lake Simcoe's environment.

Lake Simcoe is important in the lives of York-Simcoe residents. It provides drinking water for many of us. It is our playground - in summer and in winter. It defines our landscape and our lives in York-Simcoe. We want Lake Simcoe's environment to be protected and preserved. This funding will help us to do that.

Through the hard work of volunteer groups and the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, many lake remediation initiatives have been delivered. But far more have been identified as needing to be done. The resources required simply have not been available. At least not until now.

Canada's New Government has delivered results where the Liberals failed to act for 13 years. We are doing what we said we would do - and Lake Simcoe's environment will be better protected as a result.

The funding specifically earmarked for Lake Simcoe is a first. While federal politicians have previously said they cared about Lake Simcoe, the funding never flowed. They never got the job done. Currently, annual funding for Lake Simcoe is only just over $1 million, mostly from municipalities and the Conservation Authority.

The federal funding represents a 533% increase in the available funds for Lake Simcoe's environment. If the Province then steps up to match these funds, we will be able to do even more.

These results would not have been possible without the help of numerous volunteer organizations who have committed their time and efforts to protecting and enhancing the health of Lake Simcoe's environment. These organizations include; Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition, the Wave, the Ladies of the Lake, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and Foundation and the South Simcoe and York-Simcoe Naturalists.

I'm pleased that my work on this issue has met with success. We are delivering results for Lake Simcoe's environment. It is a change for the better!