Is Lake Simcoe benefiting from pre-election goodies?

[Spiel]

Is Lake Simcoe benefiting from pre-election goodies?

 

 

Aug 06, 2008

article/113072Laurie Watt / simcoe.com

 

 

Federal government cash is trickling into Lake Simcoe through a variety of creeks – and announcements from three MPs.

 

In the past month, there have been several funding announcements involving Barrie’s Patrick Brown, Simcoe North’s Bruce Stanton and York Simcoe’s Peter Van Loan. The MPs have handed over anywhere from $6,500 to $315,000.

 

The trickle of funds are part of the federal government’s five-year $30-million commitment to clean up Lake Simcoe, said Brown – and are not merely photo opportunities in the slow news days of late summer leading into what could be a late-fall election.

 

“There’s been about 25 announcements throughout the summer around Lake Simcoe. This is my third,” said Brown, at a Tuesday afternoon cheque presentation. He did not provide a list of projects but a scan of the three MPs websites revealed duplication.

 

This week’s $75,750 will go to stabilize and naturalize the banks in Sunnidale Park, in the city’s north end. Last year, Barrie and the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority upgraded the lower creek, near Simcoe Street.

 

Naturalizing the banks of creeks allows runoff to be filtered before it runs into the creeks and lake – which reduces phosphorous, and therefore limits algae growth, which in turn improves fish habitat.

 

Native plants along the banks improve wildlife habitat, prevent erosion and improve the appearance of the creek.

 

Other projects the local MPs have been involved in include a $6,500 Holland River project in the southern part of the county, as well as a $30,000 contribution to the Kitchener Park naturalization project in Orillia.

 

Last week, Brown presented a $315,000 cheque for upgrades to Hotchkiss Creek, which flows into Kempenfelt Bay near Tiffin Street in Barrie.

 

“There’s no federal election this fall – I guarantee you,” said Brown, stressing the announcements are significant only because of the federal government’s desire to clean up Lake Simcoe.

 

“(The $30 million) is being distributed over five years. There’s no posturing. It’s doing what is right for Barrie, what is right for Lake Simcoe and what is right for Simcoe County,” he said.

 

Barrie Liberal candidate Rick Jones, however, said the Conservative government is putting cash in Barrie particularly, to gain attention.

 

“$30 million over five years – in terms of a priority, the environment is not one with this government. Their allocation of funds reflects that,” he said.

 

The Liberal Green Shift policy would make the environment a priority, Jones said.

 

“Our first order of business would be very significant. We have a policy,” he said, which encourages individuals and corporations to fight climate change.

 

“It’s an all-encompassing program. It’s economically sustainable. It’s comprehensive and touches on the corporate and individual levels. It’s not an after-thought. It’s a priority.”