'Working Groups' working together for Lake Simcoe
by Michelle Minnoch

LSRCA Gayle Wood spoke briefly at their board meeting regarding the LSEMS (Lake Simcoe Environmental Management Strategy) working group and the recent funding announcements.

"It started with $12 million in the federal budget, then with Premier McGuinty in Barrie on July 6th announcing the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, and now John Tory," she said. "Needless to say, Lake Simcoe is front and centre."

She said the LSEMS working group is between various groups, stakeholders and a government partnership.

"We had to look at how to best govern a multi-level partnership."

She said the working groups looked at nine governance models and will follow the models similar to those from Lake Champlain, Chesapeake Bay and Hamilton Harbour RAP.

"Until recently, there had not been a lot of government support. The Lake Champlain committee had senators on their committee."

She said it was important to have all partners at the table, and the working groups were mentioned by McGuinty when he stopped by Barrie.

"We have to be accountable, transparent, simplified and easily understood," Wood said. "But we have to discontinue duplication and over-lap."

Councilor Jack Rupke (King) said Wood has hit the nail on the head. "We're encouraging groups to work together," he said. "Legislation is legislation. What you get is another bureaucratic level."

Councilor John Taylor (Newmarket) said the LSRCA knows what's wrong with the Lake and they have the resources. "Seems like a great deal of duplication."