2025-Feb-04
Suggested Questions to Ask Your Ontario MPP Candidates
Ontario voters will soon be heading to the polls. We encourage all GBA members to question prospective MPP candidates’ commitment to protecting the Great Lakes, particularly concerning issues affecting Georgian Bay. This is best done at “all candidates” meetings in your riding, but other meetings or approaches to individual candidates also provide an opportunity.
Cottage owners and waterfront communities along eastern Georgian Bay substantially contribute to Ontario’s economy. According to a 2022 GBA survey, our members collectively spend between $134 million and $144 million annually. Given that GBA members represent approximately 55 per cent of all Georgian Bay residents, the total expenditure by all waterfront property owners in the area is estimated to be around $244 million annually.
Collectively, these families own and steward significant portions of waterfront land and sensitive shorelines, underscoring the importance of addressing their challenges immediately with policy attention.
Accordingly, we have put together several suggested questions to consider. We encourage you to raise these questions with candidates in your riding and consider their responses when casting your vote. Your voice matters in ensuring that Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes remain protected for future generations.
TCE Pumped Storage Project and Funding
- Will you critically review the TC Energy (TCE) pumped storage project in Meaford to ensure there aren’t other energy storage options that would be more efficient and potentially less environmentally impactful?
Municipal Funding, Property Taxes, and Development Charges
- Municipalities face growing financial pressures due to insufficient provincial funding. Will you support predictable and sustainable funding models to relieve these pressures, particularly for aging infrastructure, conservation authorities, and environmental protection?
Indigenous Partnerships & Collaboration
- How will you work with Indigenous communities to support conservation efforts and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into policy-making?
Water Quality and Great Lakes Protection
- Will you support and uphold the provisions of the Great Lakes Protection Act and the Canada-Ontario Agreement, which bind Ontario to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
- Will you support funding for Great Lakes municipalities to improve wastewater infrastructure and prevent sewage overflows into the Great Lakes?
- The Lake Partner Program mobilizes citizen scientists to monitor water quality in 546 lakes and rivers across the province. Will you support its continuation and expansion?
- How will you advocate for stronger protections against plastics and microplastics pollution in Ontario’s waters?
Aquaculture Oversight and Environmental Protection
- Open net cage aquaculture operations contribute to nutrient loading and increase the risk of algae blooms. Will you support increased oversight and stricter regulations to address these impacts? Will you support aquaculture operators in moving their operations to closed-loop, land-based systems to protect our waters from the impacts of aquaculture?
Flood Management and Shoreline Protection
- Many areas of Ontario have experienced more frequent and severe flooding. Will you advocate for provincial investment in watershed planning, monitoring technology, and infrastructure to mitigate flood risks?
- What policies will you support to ensure shoreline development in Georgian Bay protects sensitive ecosystems and prevents erosion?
Conservation, Biodiversity, and Sustainable Development
- Will you support Ontario in meeting Canada’s land protection target of 30 per cent of lands and waters under protection by 2030 (currently just 11 per cent)?
- Will you commit to strengthening provincial protections for wetlands, forests, and species-at-risk habitats, including wildlife corridors?
Support for GBA’s Vision 2050
- GBA’s Vision 2050 initiative aims to ensure Georgian Bay’s long-term environmental health and sustainability. Will you support this vision and collaborate with conservation organizations to implement its goals?
Forest Fire Prevention and Climate Resilience
- As climate risks escalate, will you commit to increasing resources for forest fire prevention, detection, and emergency response?
- How will you help Georgian Bay communities adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as fluctuating water levels, extreme weather, and wildfires?
Environmental Oversight and Ministry Funding
- The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks have faced decades of budget cuts. Will you support restoring funding and capacity so they can effectively protect the Great Lakes and Ontario’s natural heritage?
Restoration of Public Appeal Rights
- The passage of Bill 185, the “Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act, 2024,” removed the public’s right to appeal Official Plans and Zoning By-laws. Will you support restoring these rights to ensure public participation in local decision-making?
Invasive Species Prevention
- The spread of invasive species threatens biodiversity and property values. Will you advocate for sustained funding for early detection and response programs?
Municipal Regulation of Floating Cottages
- Do you support allowing municipalities to regulate floating cottages to prevent environmental and navigational concerns?