Georgian Bay Association

GBA President’s Letter 2024

GBA President’s Letter – August 2024

GEORGIAN BAY VISION 2050 PROJECT

Bringing communities and stakeholders together to develop a vision for

protecting the Georgian Bay coast and natural environment into the future.

Georgian Bay is a unique, largely pristine waterbody and region featuring a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, a proposed UNESCO Geopark, the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, many significant national and provincial parks, nature reserves and conserved lands, and numerous First Nations.

Unfortunately, natural disasters and human activities such as climate change, unfettered development, and pollution are threatening the very existence of the Georgian Bay’s special wonders. We are in a period of rapid growth and development. The GTA is projected to increase by 50% by 2050; the District of Muskoka by 30% to 40%.

Growth in cottage communities is intensifying too. There is a clear need to propose a vision to protect the Bay and ensure responsible planning & development standards. We need a new regional plan that recognizes today’s new realities – which include a challenging environmental, social, political and development landscape.

It is vital for governments, communities, and stakeholders to come together to develop a comprehensive regional vision and plan to guide future development on and around Georgian Bay.

Step 1 is to retain a reputable, highly credible planning and environmental team to write a white paper as a basis for promoting the need for a vision and plan for the coast to governments and others.

The Objectives Are Clear.

  • We need to preserve and protect the Georgian Bay coastal region.
  • Expand conservation of natural and environmentally valuable areas.
  • Improve protection of those areas with stronger and more consistent policies.
  • Strengthen and reinforce planning standards in Official Plans and Zoning By-Laws.
  • Support and build on current key projects & priorities like: Canada’s commitments to protecting natural areas and habitats under the Global Biodiversity Framework, GBLT ecological corridors project, GB Biosphere natural asset management project and Indigenous conservation areas.

To Make This Happen.

  • We need to create a vision of preservation and protection based on recognized principles for conserving significant natural areas.
  • Share our vision with the Ontario and federal governments, municipalities, park authorities, GBA members, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and Georgian Bay residents.

Who the Georgian Bay Association is in a Nutshell

GBA is your voice on Georgian Bay. Since 1916, we have taken a leadership role, on behalf of the water-based communities on the Eastern and Northern shores of Georgian Bay, to protect and preserve this precious and fragile freshwater ecosystem for generations to come.

Operating as an advocacy and communications network for 19 community member associations, GBA is a not-for-profit organization with a qualified volunteer Board dedicated to representing the best interests of our members with all levels of government and other stakeholders.

By staying up-to-date on all issues and concerns, maintaining current and active government contacts, and collaborating closely with our community association partners, the GBA is able to ensure careful stewardship of the greater Georgian Bay environment.

Some notable past achievements include key roles in the formation of the Township of the Archipelago, the creation of the Georgian Bay Land Trust, Georgian Bay Forever, and the designation of the UNESCO Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and the Massasauga Provincial Park.

Our activities, and the issues we deal with on your behalf, are constantly evolving, so please check georgianbay.ca for details of ongoing work.