Launching the Minister’s 10-Year Review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan

Ontario is committed to protecting and restoring Ontario’s water resources, including Lake Simcoe and its watershed, as outlined in our Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan.

Since 2009, the province’s actions to protect and restore Lake Simcoe have been guided by the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan, which focuses on the lake’s water quality, reducing pollutants such as phosphorus, caring for natural heritage, and addressing the impacts of invasive species and other emerging threats.

Improving the health of Lake Simcoe requires ongoing collaboration with our partners, including Indigenous communities, municipalities, local conservation authorities, agricultural and commercial sectors, and residents.

We are inviting all our partners, including the general public, to participate in the 10-year review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan to see if it needs to be updated to continue to protect and restore and the lake.

Let us know what you think about our plan to protect Lake Simcoe by taking part in our public survey.

For additional ways to participate, see the “taking part in the review” section below.

Review requirements

The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, 2008, provide a framework for Ontario and its partners to work together to improve and protect the health of the Lake Simcoe watershed, which contains natural, urban and agricultural systems that are vital to the region and Ontario.

The Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is required under the Lake Simcoe Protection Act to ensure that a review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan is carried out at least every 10 years after the date the plan takes effect to determine whether the Plan should be amended.

During the review, the minister must:

• review the functions and operations of the Lake Simcoe Science Committee and the Lake Simcoe Coordinating Committee
• consult with:
  • council of each municipality that has jurisdiction in the Lake Simcoe watershed or the prescribed outside areas
  • the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority
  • other public bodies that, in the opinion of the minister, could be affected by the review
  • the Lake Simcoe Science Committee and the Lake Simcoe Coordinating Committee
• ensure that the public is given an opportunity to participate in the review

In July 2020, the province released the 10-year report on Lake Simcoe. This report showcased actions implemented under the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan and highlighted key monitoring results and progress made towards the plan’s objectives. In 2015, the province released its five-year report covering the monitoring results and progress made from 2009 to 2014.

To view the 10-year report and the 2015 5-year report on Lake Simcoe, follow the links in this notice under supporting materials.

Taking part in the review

Over the next several months, our government will be consulting stakeholders and Indigenous communities, and inviting the public to participate in our 10-year review of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan to see if updates need to be made. This review will help ensure we are using the latest science and knowledge as we continue to protect and restore important natural areas and features of the lake.

Engagement activities include:

• public survey on Ontario.ca
• written submissions to LakeSimcoe@ontario.ca
• Lake Simcoe virtual town hall
• Lake Simcoe science event

To view details on the engagement events and to complete the public survey, please visit the Lake Simcoe Review Consultation page at: https://www.ontario.ca/page/consultation-lake-simcoe-protection-plan-10-year-review.