January 2023 Newsletter
https://bit.ly/KWEFJan2023Newsletter
Included in this issue:
Ontario’s Bill 23
Winter Power Outages
Ice Safety Tips
Good Neighbour Guide
Ontario’s Bill 23
Bill 23 or the “More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022” was introduced by the Government of Ontario on October 25, 2022 and passed on November 28, 2022. The bill is intended to spur development and address the province’s need for affordable housing. But critics are concerned that it will instead raise property taxes and threaten protected conservation areas. The bill limits input from citizens and conservation authorities in the approval process for new housing and removes certain environmental protections, opening areas such as Ontario’s Greenbelt to development. While the bill is aimed at Ontario’s urban centres, particularly the Golden Horseshoe, many cottage country communities are concerned about its far-reaching effects.
Previously, when a company was building a development, it would have to pay additional fees to the municipality. Those fees would be used to build infrastructure that supported the new development, such as roads. But under Bill 23, the costs of that infrastructure now fall on the municipality rather than the developer.
Source: Cottage Life
Many communities oppose Bill 23 because it:
1. Undermines democracy by removing requirements for public meetings and people’s right to appeal planning decisions regarding official plans, zoning bylaws, etc.
2. Did not consult with Indigenous communities about taking land out of the Greenbelt within their traditional territories.
3. Keeps the community in the dark and does not allow them to participate in development decisions that affect their neighbourhoods, local farms, natural areas and the environment.
4. Gives the minister of municipal affairs and housing the power to override municipal decisions (i.e., Peterborough’s Official Plan) and impose the development of big carbon-footprint housing that caters to developers instead of those in need of affordable housing.
5. Disregards conservation authority (CA) permits that would protect the environment (woodlands, wetlands, rivers and streams).
6. No longer allows the CA to be able to consider pollution or conservation when issuing permits.
7. Prevents CAs from entering into agreements with municipalities regarding the review of planning proposals and prohibits them from providing advice on environmental matters.
8. Severely diminishes watershed planning, affecting over 400 municipalities in Ontario.
9. Eliminates co-ordinated regional municipal planning to protect prime farmland and natural habitats and determine better (optimal) locations for development and infrastructure.
10. Will increase carbon emissions by increasing the dependence on gas-fuelled vehicles to commute, while destroying carbon-capturing trees that protect us against climate change.
Source: The Peterborough Examiner
What can be done?
Call or write your local MPP and Premier Doug Ford and demand that Bill 23 be revoked.
Winter Power Outages
It was an unprecedented winter storm over Christmas 2022 and many of us lived through power outages. It is always best for your family and your guests to be prepared:
Create a family emergency plan; identify a safe meeting place
Post emergency contacts
Keep mobile phones fully charged
Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit with:
Windup or battery-powered flashlight
Windup or battery-powered radio
Portable external battery charger for smart devices
Water (2 litres per person per day)
Canned or dried food that won’t spoil
Manual can opener
Batteries for your flashlight and radio
Cash on hand
Blanket
Candles and matches
Emergency contact list
First aid kit
Prescriptions and medical items
Source: Hydro One
Ice Safety Tips
Ice on our lakes is just forming; if you want to venture out onto the lake ice, please check the depth of lake ice in several places. No ice is without risk.
Many factors affect ice thickness including the type of water, location, and time of year. Other environmental factors also affect ice thickness such as the size and depth of the body of water; moving water (i.e. currents, drainage, runoff); snow cover; chemicals including salt; fluctuations in water levels; logs, rocks and docks absorbing heat from the sun; changing air temperature and shock waves from vehicles travelling on the ice.
Measure ice thickness in several locations - Local conditions such as currents and water depths can affect ice thickness.
Avoid traveling on ice at night - At night it is very difficult to see open holes in the ice. This is a frequent cause of snowmobile drownings.
Never go onto ice alone - A buddy may be able to rescue you, or go for help if you get into difficulty. Before you leave shore, tell someone where you are going and expected time of return.
Stay off river ice - Avoid moving water and stay off water bodies with changing water levels. River currents can quickly change ice thickness over night or between different parts of the river.
Wear a snowmobile flotation suit or a lifejacket - Wear a lifejacket or PFD over your snowmobile suit or layered winter clothes to increase your survival chances if you do go through the ice.
Take safety equipment with you - Include ice picks, ice staff, rope, and a small personal safety kit in your pocket, which should include a lighter, waterproof matches, magnesium fire starter, pocket knife, compass, whistle and a cell phone.
Avoid alcohol - Alcohol impairs your judgment and speeds up the development of hypothermia.
If you drive on ice, have an escape plan - Open your windows, unlock your doors, ensure seat belts are unfastened and turn on your lights to allow you to quickly escape from your vehicle should it go through the ice.
Always actively supervise children playing on or near ice - Children should always be under active adult supervision. Children that aren't within arm's reach have ventured too far. Insist that they wear a lifejacket/PFD or thermal protection buoyant suit.
Ice Rescue - Rescuing another person from the ice can be dangerous. The safest way to perform a rescue is from the shore. If you see someone in trouble, call 911.
Source: www.lifesaving.org
Good Neighbour Guide
KWEF has developed a Good Neighbour Guide, endorsing practices to keep our waterways and shorelines healthy and safe. We encourage you to share these practices with your guests and renters.
The guide can be downloaded from our website: https://www.kwef.ca/resources/livingbythelake
Keep this Checklist for cottage guests and tenants handy!