On April 2nd, Georgina Councillor Dave Neeson, a regular Lake Simcoe champion, is taking an innovative motion to the Town of Georgina Council, and will be asking for their support.
The symbolic gesture would have the Town endorse asking Ontario to do two things; create a framework for the snow and ice management sector that would allow them to stop oversalting; and establish a provincial stakeholder advisory committee to recommend how Ontario should manage its salt pollution problem affecting freshwater ecosystems.
“Lake Simcoe municipalities have the most to gain from these proposed actions, and the most to lose if the province does nothing,” says Councillor Neeson. “I am always proud to represent Lake Simcoe’s best interests in my role in local government.” Neeson is a “Lake Simcoe Avenger”, the name given to the team that regularly supports non profits’ efforts to clean up Lake Simcoe.
The topic and background information was shared with Neeson by two Georgina community members, Mary Jane Hanley, and a Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition Board member and educator, Susan Sheard.
Hanley says, “Members of Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition (RLSC) are excited that
Councillor Neeson will be tabling this motion to introduce the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition’s initiative at Town Council, and for the opportunity to work with the Town of Georgina leadership to advance efforts. The goal of this initiative is to encourage the Ontario provincial government to take action against salt pollution as it is a critical problem for our sensitive Freshwater Ecosystem and our drinking water sources in the Lake Simcoe watershed. In addition, road salt damages public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings and private properties.”
Sheard notes, “Given that some Georgina residents are already experiencing unsafe levels of salt in their tap water; that five Lake Simcoe watershed rivers already contain chloride levels that are deadly to aquatic life; and that Lake Simcoe is on a trajectory to reach chronic salinity in 33 years, it’s clear that action must be taken without delay.”
Members of the public who support taking care of Lake Simcoe can ask their Councils and Councillors to pass it as well. Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition’s Executive Director is asking the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) Board to endorse the resolution in principle, on March 28th. The LSRCA has been studying salt pollution for decades. The RLSC is advocating for these solutions because they are supported by research and analysis done by the LSRCA, Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and Drinking Water Source Protection Committees.
If the motion passes, Georgina would be the second, after The District of Muskoka, to support the resolution.
Individuals can help by going to www.saltcoalition.ca and submitting a comment to Ontario officials that we need urgent action on this issue. Businesses can support the campaign goals, too, by signing a letter to the province here.
About the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition
Formed in 2023, the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition is a province-wide group of individuals, grassroots groups, and organizations working together to secure provincial action on salt pollution. The OSPC believes water protection should be centered in decision-making and is advocating for the establishment of a key stakeholder & expert committee to inform protective policy solutions to salt pollution. The OSPC is led by Water Watchers.