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Register NOW for the FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar
Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Boulevard Club, Toronto
Please join us at the 2017 Annual General Meeting of Members and Spring Seminar for Lake Associations.
In addition to the AGM at 1:00pm, the day includes presentation of the FOCA Achievement Award, and speakers on the topics of electricity and lake stressors.
This is a must-attend event for lake representatives: an opportunity to network with your peers, collect current information about top issues, and begin planning for a year of success for your association! See you there.
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Whither Winter?
Inconsistent weather, including winter rains across parts of Ontario in recent weeks have made for challenging conditions for those of us that like to get outdoors!
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February 2nd was Groundhog Day, as this CBC News meme reminds us |
Alt
hough there's lots of weather yet to come before Spring, conditions for Ontario skiers
and snowmobile trails
have been ever-changing.
Winter is a fantastic time to enjoy the lake, but like all outdoor pursuits, we need to be mindful of the elements and be prepared for changing conditions.
Click the image below to watch a short video reminder from FOCA, related to winter safety:
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Political Affairs & Policy Updates
Greetings for 2017
In January, FOCA received a letter from the
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, extending greetings to FOCA members for 2017.
"Organizations such as yours are vital,"
wrote Minister McKenna. Read the Minister's full message:
https://foca.on.ca/climate-change-and-waterfront-ontario/
.
FOCA encourages you to spread the word through association newsletters and conversations with your cottage country neighbours!
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Provincial Politics
In January 2017, FOCA's Vice President Jim Kaufman, and Executive Director Terry Rees had a lengthy meeting at Queen's Park with The Honourable Kathryn McGarry, Ontario
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss a number of FOCA's key concerns and interests related to
water management
,
forestry
,
biodiversity
,
invasive species
, and
dock permits
. FOCA looks forward to progress on these files.
FOCA's Executive Director also met with Patrick Brown, Leader of the Opposition (Ontario) at a recent Ontario Progressive Conservative Party event in Peterborough, which featured
energy prices as a key theme.
Public Comment on the Deep Geological Repository (DGR)
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FOCA's Gold-level Sponsors
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Lake Partner Program (LPP) Notice
Important information for our LPP Volunteers
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sample kits!
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For the first time, the 2017 Lake Partner Program
sampling kits will be shipped to most volunteers using a courier (Purolator) instead of Canada Post, in order to save on shipping costs.
There is NO change to the sample return method - please continue to follow the instructions provided in the sampling kids and mail back by affixing the Canada Post shipping label provided in your kit and dropping it off at your nearest Canada Post location.
If you have questions, contact the Lake Partner Program Coordinator, Anna DeSellas:
[email protected]
1-800-470-8322 (or call 705-766-1294 if outside Ontario)
For more LPP sampling information, tips and video links, visit:
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Lake Environments
Grass Carp in the Great Lakes
Scientific analysis released January 27 indicates grass carp are present in Lakes Erie, Michigan and Ontario. Link to the news release and other resources:
https://foca.on.ca/asian-carp/
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Plastics in our waters
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Waterfront Living
Energy Efficiency
Improve your home's energy efficiency; lower your energy bills.
If you reside in Enbridge Gas' Program Delivery Area, you may qualify for the Home Energy Conservation Program, whether you heat with natural gas, oil, propane boiler/furnace OR wood stove. Find out more: http://en.knowyourenergyscore.ca/home-energy-conservation/.
If you reside in Union Gas' Program Delivery Area, their program is described here: https://www.uniongas.com/residential/save-money-energy/rebates-promotions/home-reno
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FOCA's Silver-level Sponsors
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Upcoming 2017 Regional Events
3 Coastal Community Workshops - Lake Huron
February 7 - Huron County; Feb.23 - Lambton County; Feb.28 - Bruce County. The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is working on the creation of a Coastal Action Plan for Lake Huron, encompassing the shoreline from Sarnia to Tobermory.
Click here to download the event poster (PDF, 1 page).
You may also wish to add your voice through their online questionnaire:
Forests Ontario Annual Conference
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24th Annual Kawartha Woodlot Conference
Saturday, February 11 - Lindsay. Register to attend this conference, titled: "Healthy Forest, Healthy Community" at Fleming College - Frost Campus in Lindsay. Topics range from managing woodlots as part of a natural heritage system, to invasive species, tree identification and plantation thinning, species at risk, and fun in the forest.
Details here.
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An Evening with Wildcats
Saturday, February 18, 7:00pm - Perth. This presentation by naturalist Sue Morse is part of two days of workshops on the wild cats of eastern Ontario, organized by the Lanark County Stewardship Council. Registration required. Details here.
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Ottawa Cottage and Backyard Show
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Spring Cottage Life Show
March 30 - April 2, 2017 - Toronto. Hold the date! Plan to visit FOCA's booth at the Spring Cottage Life Show!
Details here.
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Muskoka Stewardship Conference
Friday, May 12 - Port Carling. Hold the date! FOCA will participate in this year's Muskoka Stewardship Conference, titled "50 Shades of Green: all about algae." Details here.
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Cade's Corner
Members in over fifty FOCA member Associations have already taken advantage of this FOCA benefit: access to the
CottageFirst
group insurance package.
When will you get your quote, to find out if you could be saving too?
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Notices & Opportunities
Community Planning Permit Study for Shoreline Management - Innisfil
The Town of Innisfil is holding a Public Open House on February 7, and a Public Meeting on February 15 to address building on the shoreline, as they update their approvals process. Find out more, here:
www.innisfil.ca/ourshore
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Preliminary Notice of Road Improvements - Kawarthas
FOCA has received notice of a preliminary design study and class environmental assessment re: Highway 28/Peterborough County Road 4 Intersection in the Township of Douro-Dummer, County of Peterborough.
Click here to download the notice. (PDF, 3 pages)
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Survey: Municipal Voting by Internet for Havelock-Belmont-Methuen (HBM)
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Recent Events
FOCA at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference
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Premier Wynne and cabinet at ROMA
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January 29-30 - Toronto. FOCA participated in the ROMA annual conference and trade show, with our municipal partners. Read more about the event, and get links to some of the presentations, here:
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FOCA's Bronze-level Sponsors
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About FOCA
Frances Wilbur has rejoined the FOCA Staff as our new Programs Manager, to assist FOCA's member associations in building strong leadership and increasing local volunteerism. Welcome back, Frances!
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Publications from FOCA
Shoreline Owners Guide to Healthy Waterfronts
FOCA Member Associations can access multiple copies of this handy guide, which makes a great addition to your New Member welcome package.
Contact the office: [email protected] 705-749-3622
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TIP: Are you coming to the FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar on March 4th? Bypass shipping charges by arranging to pick up your copies then!
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More Tools for Lake Associations
ONCA Update
CLEO (Community Legal Education Ontario) reiterated in January 2017 that ONCA remains on hold indefinitely. Get the update here: https://foca.on.ca/onca-on-hold/
We want you to share FOCA news updates and fact sheets. Members are always welcome to reproduce FOCA materials from
Elerts,
Newsletters and our extensive
online resources. Please credit FOCA as the source, and include our web address, where possible:
https://foca.on.ca
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Canada 150
As Canada celebrates 150 years in 2017, FOCA celebrates the legacy of Ontario cottage country, and the significance of these natural spaces to our health and wellbeing, to our families and to our identity as Canadians!
February 15, 2017 is National Flag of Canada Day. Click the "Canada 150" logo to link to more information from the Government of Canada about this year's celebrations.
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