“DEVOLIN
AND
KAWARTHA LAKES
MAYOR RIC McGEE MEET WITH FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER”
April
3, 2008
OTTAWA
– Local MP Barry Devolin and Kawartha Lakes Mayor Ric McGee
met with Environment Minister and Minister Responsible for
Parks Canada, John Baird earlier this week in
Ottawa
. The discussion
was focused on enhancing the good working relationship between
the federal government and City Hall in
Kawartha Lakes
.
The
main focus of the meeting was around the Trent Severn Waterway
(TSW) and included Alan Latourelle, Chief Executive Officer of
Parks Canada which oversees the operation of the TSW.
“My
staff and I were happy to arrange this meeting which enabled
the Minister to hear first hand some of the concerns and
opportunities
Kawartha Lakes
is experiencing as they go about their day-to-day
operation,” said Devolin.
“The Minister has been to the riding before and is
familiar with the large presence the TSW has in this area so
it made for a good conversation.”
“The
Minister seemed genuinely concerned about some of the issues
we have in
Kawartha Lakes
. Low water
levels around the Norland Municipal Water System and the need
for a new flow monitoring station on the
Burnt
River
we among the many issues we discussed,” said McGee.
“It is critical that we work together to try to
stabilize water levels along the system to in order to promote
tourism and quality of life for everyone.”
“There
is also an opportunity for the TSW to work with
Sir
Sandford
Fleming
College
in Lindsay for their environmental research relating to water
quality,” said McGee. “I
would like to see these two organizations work collaboratively
to determine the root cause of escalating weed growth in area
waterways and develop an action plan to address this issue,
ideally making
Kawartha Lakes
the pilot project for this type of initiative nationally.”
“Mayor
McGee and I were also able to inform the Minister about the
175th Anniversary celebration of Lock 32 in
Bobcaygeon, the birth place of the TSW, the weekend of June
7th,” said Devolin. “I
know volunteers are busy organizing the event and I hope the
Minister will be able to join the festivities.”
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30 –
For
more information contact:
Barry
Devolin, MP
Ric McGee, Mayor
(705)
324-2400
(705) 324-9411 ext. 320
(866)
688-9881
