First public consultation on Lake Simcoe Act

Approximately 30 residents attended St. John's Presbyterian Church in Bradford on Tuesday night as MPP Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe-North) began public consultation regarding the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.

"The environment has become the real sleeping giant in politics," Dunlop said. "I am pleased to speak with anyone on this Private Members Bill."

The Bill introduced to the legislature on April 25th, states, "in order to protect Lake Simcoe, it is important to establish a comprehensive protection program for the natural heritage system and watershed for Lake Simcoe and the Nottawasaga River".

Dunlop stated in his particular riding there is 100 km of Lake Simcoe shoreline, and it is something residents want to talk to him about on a daily basis. Concern about the lake

and its watershed has been brought to the forefront with the release of the Intergovernmental Action Report (IGAP).

"That puts us up to 667,000 residents in Simcoe County by 2031, which is an increase in population by 60%."

He said as a Conservative MPP, he was "left out" of the IGAP process.

"I had to read about it in the papers."

Dunlop outlined what he thought were the three things needed by residents of Simcoe County; an environmental plan, jobs and an economic strategy ("the last thing we need to do is add 242,000 people in Simcoe