Enbridge Gas Inc is preparing a major gas pipeline expansion in the Hidden Valley area of Huntsville. As one of the “interested and potentially affected parties” and as a “stakeholder” in the future, Climate Action Muskoka (CAM) is compelled to respond to this expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in Muskoka.

“Since the climate impacts of this gas expansion are not being considered, Enbridge Gas’ statement that it is ‘protecting the health and safety of all individuals affected by our activities’ comes across as hollow greenwashing,” says CAM spokesperson Sue McKenzie.

33 Ontario municipalities, including Bracebridge, have called for the phase-out of gas power in Ontario. Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the world that new investments being made in coal, oil and gas were “delusional” given their impact on climate change.

“Nothing could be more clear or present than the danger of fossil fuel expansion,” Guterres told the Major Economies Forum last month.

If you have concerns about this expansion in our riding, CAM urges you to submit your comments to the Hidden Valley Community Expansion Project Virtual Open House questionnaire by July 8, 2022. Your comments will be sent to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) as part of the Environmental Assessment Report on the project. See information about the project here.

The post Letter To The Editor: Climate Action Muskoka Raises Concerns About Enbridge Gas Expansion appeared first on Muskoka411.

Ontarians are advocating to fix the noise problem on Ontario’s lakes through changes to federal boating regulations.

Current boating regulations allow excessively loud boats with ineffective or no mufflers on regional waterways. This is a major and growing problem, adversely affecting wildlife and human enjoyment of these areas. Waterways are regulated by the Federal Government, and a group of over 65 associations and municipalities called the Decibel Coalition is asking Transport Canada to put decibel limits on motorboats.

A 2021 survey of residents in Muskoka, Georgian Bay, and Haliburton found that 67 per cent of almost 6,000 respondents want muffler laws enforced and decibel limits in the legislation like what has been in place the U.S. and Europe for more than 20 years. Local wildlife is also affected as high noise-emitting motorboats disturb and scare small mammals and waterfowl.

Research funded by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada shows that Canadian freshwater biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, and research suggests the importance of noise pollution mitigation on preserving biodiversity and aquatic life.

Transport Canada has recognized that existing regulations do not work and that the issue of noise pollution in our country’s lakes is a real problem, recently launching public consultations to address the issue. Current regulations require small vessels to have mufflers or have through-the-propeller exhaust. However, the regulations do not include decibel limits on noise emissions.

Enforcement officials lack the technical expertise needed to identify whether a muffler is properly equipped according to current standards. As a result, there is little-to-no enforcement of the regulations anywhere in Canada, allowing the problem to grow unchecked.

The onus to control excessive boat motor noise should not be left up to citizens. The Coalition is asking Transport Canada to introduce objective, measurable decibel limits for manufacturers and operators that set clear standards on the amount of noise boat motors can make, along with clear and effective enforcement procedures. This will give enforcement agencies the tools they need to do their job and help ensure waterways are quieter.

Transport Canada’s public consultations on these regulations are open until May 13. Of the five options presented, the Coalition believes that only Option 5 will effectively address the issue. The Coalition is encouraging Canadians to send a letter to their elected officials via their website indicating their support of introducing decibel limits in regulations.

The post Letter To The Editor: Ontario’s Lakes Have A Noise Problem appeared first on Muskoka411.

This Labour Day, as we pause to recognize the historic contributions of working people in Canada, it feels like there is little to celebrate and much to hope for.

This COVID-19 crisis has been very hard for workers across the country, and Orillia, Muskoka and the communities around them are no different. We’ve seen workers who have lost loved ones, who were put out of work, and who were deemed essential and had to keep working at great risk to themselves and to their families.

As the dust settles, we will need to start to rebuild. And if we need to rebuild, why not rebuild a fairer and more just society?

We should all be calling on our governments to replace lost jobs with better ones. Ones that pay better wages, have better benefits like pensions and health benefits, and are environmentally responsible.

We should be demanding that ALL workers deserve paid sick days, to ensure the health of our people and of our economy.

Canada is a nation built upon very different values than those of our neighbour to the south. We all must reject American-style cuts, austerity, and remember, we’re all in this together. It is in our national interest to make sure every member of our communities are healthy physically, mentally, and financially. It’s time to disaster-proof our nation.

Mike De Rose, President
North Simcoe Muskoka & District Labour Council

The opinions of the writer of the above letter does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Muskoka411.

The post Letter To The Editor: Labour Day Is An Opportunity To Rally For A Stronger Canada appeared first on Muskoka411.

As you all know, tourism is ever increasing in the area. This is a good thing for the local economy – merchants, resort owners, restaurants, service providers and the list goes on and on. The area is an awesome place for vacation and relaxation and should be promoted. Unfortunately, with the increased seasonal population up here, there is bad that comes with the good.

We have noticed that in the last few years the traffic on the river has increased. Again, this is a good thing. Majority of boaters that come up the river adhere to speed limits and are courteous. The one problem that the increased traffic on the river has also brought are jet skiers. Majority of them have no regard for the posted speed limit signs or any regard to the preservation of the river. I am no prude and, actually, I am bit of speed demon myself. I understand when you are 20 something years old, sitting on your jet ski on vacation, it’s a beautiful sunny day, the water is the right temperature and in your mind, you see the river as an awesome race track with it’s windy curves and the idea of taking that machine full throttle gets the blood pumping. I get it. The problem is that this mindset has caused some near misses. The most recent one involving my adult children.

This incident occurred on July 4, 2020. We watched 8 or 9 of them speed up the river. We heard them at Marsh’s Falls and, knowing they were going to turn around to head back to the lake, my daughter got into the canoe and was determined to ask the to slow down on the way back. My son grabbed his GoPro and hopped into our paddle boat to try and catch some footage. Of course, on their way back, my daughter was yelling to slow down, but all she got were either rude gestures or one jet skier in particular almost ran her over. It was very disturbing to say the least. This incident is what broke the straw for me to write. I know you’re all thinking, “Well it’s not the first incident and not the last.” Unfortunately, you are correct. I did call the OPP communications line on that day to report the incident, but I told them not to bother sending anyone over as they were gone and we had no other solid information we could offer them.

My family and I are convinced that there will eventually be a tragedy on this river. On the July 1 holiday, we took a cruise down the river on our own boat. It was a beautiful day and it was a busy day on the river. When we rounded one of the many blind corners we came across a family (approximately 8 to 9 people with children) with 3 canoes. They had stopped on one of the many sandy banks for a break and a swim. Everyone was frolicking in the water. This particular area they were in has blind corners approximately 30 feet each way from where they were swimming. If a group of jet skiers (or even one) comes down the river at full throttle, there is no way they would be able to stop or clear them in time. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

I also understand that the OPP does not have the funds to constantly be monitoring activity on the river. I remember as a teenager (approximately 40 years ago) we would witness OPP Marine Units on the lake and river several times over the summer monitoring the area, especially on long weekends. In the last few years, we are lucky to see them once a year. The last time was on a rainy Saturday when there was truly no one on the river. Again, I get it. They were booked to go that day and it happened to be a rainy day. Bad luck, Murphy’s law – whatever the case, it was a waste of time and money for those officers.

I see a few solutions that perhaps could be considered:

1. Increased OPP presence on the river – perhaps not viable from a financial perspective.
2. Increase in signage posted on the river – the government posted signs are not enough and do not do the river justice. The sign posted at the mouth of the river by the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation is great, and I would certainly entertain the idea of putting one on our property.
3. Banning jet skiers from the river – I understand that monitoring this would be a nightmare.
4. Entering into some dialogue with the company who rents jet skis in Dwight (and other locations) to inform their customers of what is expected of them if they decide to cruise the river.

I truly hope that something can be done to ensure everyone’s safety before we see a tragedy.

Best regards,
Tilly Varga

The opinions of the writer of the above letter does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Muskoka411.

The post Letter To The Editor: Resident Warns Of Disaster Waiting To Happen On Oxtongue River appeared first on Muskoka411.

During these unprecedented times of living and coping within the boundaries of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Auxiliary to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital has been very busy supporting the patients, families and the staff at our community hospital. While volunteers are noticeably absent in the hospitals during the pandemic, this hasn’t stopped our troop from doing what we can to fulfil our mission.

Recently, funds totalling more than $113,878 have been used to buy much-needed equipment. Funds raised from the Auxiliary Craft Group, Gift Shop and Muskoka Mocha coffee bar, along with community donations to the Auxiliary, have been used to purchase a new sterilizer valued at more than $104,000. Tips totalling $4,177.49 from patrons at the Muskoka Mocha coffee bar have purchased a Welch Allyn Vital Spot Monitor, a wireless portable machine that reads vital signs in seconds. Money raised from the volunteer-manned HELPP Desk at the hospital has made the purchase of a pressure infusor for IV fluids at the cost of $5,000 a reality in the Emergency Department. The Auxiliary has also shown steadfast support of our frontline workers by sponsoring lunch for hospital staff on two different occasions.

It is the Auxiliary’s continued mission to make a meaningful difference to patients, families and staff at South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. Auxiliary volunteers continue to support and work towards enhancing the quality of care offered at the hospital. Volunteers truly are ‘people helping people’.

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