February 16, 2008

“DEVOLIN ANNOUNCES INCREASED FUNDING FOR LAKE SIMCOE ”

BROCK TOWNSHIP :  Local MP Barry Devolin joined the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe to announce that the Government of Canada is providing new funding to restore and protect Lake Simcoe ’s environment. 

The announcement of an additional $18 million builds on the unprecedented $12 million that was announced in Budget 2007.  This brings the Government’s total investment to $30 million over five years.

“I am very pleased that the Government has delivered on a commitment protect Lake Simcoe ’s environment,” said Devolin. “After years of inadequate funding, the Conservative Government is taking action to improve the water we drink, clean polluted waters, protect our ecosystems and ensure the sustainability of our fish resources.”

Today’s announcement is part of Canada ’s $93 million action plan to improve water quality and to protect our precious lakes, rivers and oceans. The investment of another $18 million over five years will support the preservation, protection, and clean up of Lake Simcoe .

In 2006, the Federal Government imposed mandatory rules to protect the Lake Simcoe ecosystem from the threat of invasive species.   Other new clean water initiatives have included banning the dumping of sewage and other waste from water craft, and new rules virtually banning phosphates (a major cause of harm to lake water quality) from dishwasher detergent.

Lake Simcoe provides drinking water to eight municipalities and is known for its recreation industry, which generates more than $200 million in annual revenues. The region supports farming and recreational fishing and has recently undergone significant increased urban development.

-  30 –

For more information contact:

Barry Devolin, MP 

(705) 324-2400 or 1-866-688-9881