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Local environmental groups say provincial review may weaken Lake Simcoe Protection Plan

February 24, 2021

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By: Mike Anderson

The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan (LSPP), considered by many to be best-in-class environmental legislation and a model for watershed protection, is currently under review by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).

Local environmental groups, including the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition (RLSC), are concerned that the MECP may decide to amend the plan by rolling back water quality targets and possibly eliminating some of the 118 policies contained in the plan, including a critical phosphorus offset program run by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA).

“There’s been a lot of damage to environmental policies already done by this government. And there are a number of changes to the way planning works,” said RLSC Executive Director Claire Malcolmson, who cites the province’s recent use of Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) to bypass environmental protections and fast track development.

“We’re really worried about the impact of urban sprawl. Development does have a negative impact on watershed health. We have more of an uphill challenge because of those planning tools that have been changed.”

As part of the review process, the ministry wants the public to complete an online survey on the provincial website, which will close on March 3.

However, Ms. Malcolmson said just completing the survey is not enough. She wants residents to reach out directly to their local MPPs with their concerns.

“I think it’s important that people tell the province what their priorities are, or simply to say ‘I really value Lake Simcoe, and I expect you to do everything in your power to protect its health.’ That’s the most important thing. The survey is not the most important thing,” she said.

“We would like people to go to our website (www.rescuelakesimcoe.org) and sign our petition, which is quite specific and states we want to maintain the water quality targets in the LSPP.

The number two thing is to contact their MPP. I would say the vast majority of politicians around Lake Simcoe campaign on protecting it, and they should feel the pressure from their constituents to do that. And that will motivate them at Queens Park to make the right decisions.”

While Ms. Malcolmson agrees there is a need to revise the LSPP, she wants it strengthened with provisions for penalties added.

“We don’t really want them to change the targets and the objectives of the plan. We really want them to focus on implementation. We need a very strategic and clear phosphorus reduction strategy that has some teeth,” she said.

“The details of how we’re going to lower phosphorous are already in the plan, but it’s a living document and has to be redone. I want it redone by individuals and a government that show a firm commitment to understanding the issues and are willing to put some muscle into it because it’s heavy lifting. It’s going to be a major job.”

According to the province, amendments to the legislation could be tabled later this year, after the province reviews feedback from the ministry’s engagement phase, which lasted 75-days and included a virtual town hall, an online public survey and various consultations with partner and stakeholder groups, including the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation (CGIFN) and shoreline municipalities like Georgina.

However, concerns have been raised that the 75-day engagement phase was rushed and didn’t provide adequate time for proper consultation.

In light of these concerns, Georgina Council, during its February 24 virtual session, passed a resolution which calls on the province not to use MZOs to override the LSPP’s environmental protections, and not to approve any development that does not meet the “applicable standards targets and standards set out in the plan, particularly those related to phosphorus loading on Lake Simcoe.”

Ms. Malcolmson, buoyed by the support from most of Lake Simcoe’s shoreline municipalities, is hopeful that the province will listen. But, she wants Doug Ford’s government to know it will be held accountable if the LSPP is weakened substantially.

“If they make a decision that is unpopular, then they are going to have to wear it,” she said.

“They should not forget that the Lake Simcoe Protection Act got unanimous, all-party support at Queen’s Park in 2008. It’s almost impossible to imagine that happening today. Garfield Dunlop, a Conservative MPP for Simcoe North, introduced the Act as a private members’ bill the first time. The Conservatives initiated this. So I really hope this is not a partisan issue.”