PaBIA,
As winter (hopefully) descends on our beloved island area, PaBIA wants to wish you a wonderful holiday season, wherever this finds you! Although PaB is much quieter these days, rest assured that PaBIA continues to work on your behalf!
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Inside This Newsletter
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 Pine Sawfly Update………by Shelagh Grant, PaBIA Environmental Team |
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The report on the Introduced Pine Sawfly infestation prepared for the Township of the Archipelago (TOA) was presented to Council’s Economic Committee on October 19th (draft) and November 22nd (final). The latter is available in its entirety on the TOA website, currently located by searching “report 2015.” We encourage everyone to give it a careful read as it contains some valuable information. However, we question some of the recommendations and hope to offer some better alternatives.
Rejecting the proposed option of “Doing Nothing,” PaBIA’s environment committee is developing a pro-active strategy with specific recommendations for action beginning this June, when pine sawflies emerge from their cocoons. In the interim, we will be investigating options for use of pesticides for invasive species, and a number of new alternatives being studied specifically for use against the introduced pine sawfly. As well, the committee will be looking into how we might coordinate efforts of those wishing to use TreeAzin applications to a few ‘special’ trees to reduce costs. Unfortunately, there is no means of assessing whether these trees are healthy enough to warrant treatment until new growth appears in the spring. As with pesticides and other options, no action can be taken between now and May. In the interim, be assured that the sawfly may be dormant over the winter, but PaBIA’s environment committee will be hard at work.
While responsibility for control of the infestation rests with individual property owners, PaBIA and the TOA will work together on a public education program focusing on prevention and limiting spread of the infestation. The GBBR is currently preparing an information flyer for Georgian Bay cottager associations to send to their members, along with a workshop planned for April in Toronto. Aside from a full report in the 2016 Yearbook, PaBIA’s committee will be conducting an information workshop at the Ojibway Club on Sunday morning, July 10th. We are thrilled that Dr. Taylor Scarr, senior entomologist with MNRF and scientific advisor for the Invasive Species Centre, has agreed to present the case for control of introduced pine sawfly infestations and respond to our questions. We will keep you posted.
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| Giving Where Your Heart Is! …………Erica Allen |
Calling all PaBIA members. What better way is there to demonstrate and share your love of our fabulous Pointe au Baril and show your children, young and older, that a membership in PaBIA is a an essential part of enjoying and preserving our community?
Contact Nancy Rogers NOW and sign up your family members. With each new membership you will receive a gift card that you can put under the tree. Visit our PaBIA’s membership portion of PaBIA’s website for details!
Happy Holidays and all the best for the New Year!
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| Wiikwemkoong First Nations Land Settlement Update ….. GBA Reps |
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The negotiation between the Province of Ontario and the Wiky First Nation continue. We have
been informed that the deadline for Public comments to the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs on the proposed settlement has been extended until Jan 6. The reason for this extension is that there are a few inland lake cottage associations that are near to some of the inland Crown Land that is slated for transfer. These associations were not properly notified last summer as others were and have asked for more time to respond.
In our various submissions and discussions with the Province GBA has clearly stated that we
accept that the Wiky deserve a fair settlement for past wrongs. That said, we have added that the proposed settlement, as currently structured, creates considerable public angst. We firmly believe that some creative thinking as the final settlement is structured could go a long way to alleviating public concerns while helping the Wiky achieve their vision for the future security of their Nation.
The negotiation of this Land Claim is between governments (Ontario, the Wiky First Nation and ultimately Canada). The public does not have any legal standing in these negotiations. If we hope to have our voices heard, it will come through building dialogue and trust with all three of the principal parties and, in particular, the Wiky. We realize that this is a long process but we are making good headway.
GBA President, John McMullen, together with reps from GBA’s Member Association and the
Northern Georgian Bay Association (NGBA), met with Wiky Chief Peltier and a facilitator that
the Chief brought with him to document the discussion. It was a good second meeting with the
Chief for John. By all accounts the meeting went well.
On the Provincial front, John McMullen, Rupert Kindersley (GBA’s Executive Vice President),
and Bob Duncanson have now met several times with the Senior Negotiator, most recently to go over the points that we made in our letter to Aboriginal Affairs. He seemed to appreciate our perspectives. We are also making inquiries with other senior contacts we have at Queens Park to determine who else there is supporting this negotiation and what their level of commitment to the details in the proposed settlement is. This information will help us to fine tune our strategy and our expectations for possible changes to the final settlement.
One development we would like to see is the formation of a consultation group formed by all the interested parties including the Wiky. The hope is to provide both a forum for regular communications between the parties and an ongoing exchange of information and ideas on all the various aspects of this issue: environmental, access, public use, local residents’ concerns, the potential park area and future intentions. We have planted this seed with both the Wiky and the MAA and hope that it will become a reality in due course.
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| A Georgian Bay LOVE Story……………by Katie Kraner |
 What is your L0VE story? Jay and I would like to share our Georgian Bay LOVE Story. It began in 1960, when Bob and Grace Kraner purchased Gronkuwa, B-830. Ten years later, Bill and Phyllis Spaethe bought Wabena, B-867. It was the summer of 1970 that Jay Kraner brought a loaf of bread he made to Wabena. Two years later, Katie Spaethe and Jay married and ‘honeymooned’ at Wabena.Fast forward 43 years, 3 children, 5 grandchildren, and our Georgian Bay LOVE Story continues. Stop by Gronkuwa to get all the details!!
We wanted to make a LOVE gift to PaBIA in memory of our parents who made this LOVE story possible. Won’t you consider doing the same? Jay and I would LOVE to hear your Georgian Bay LOVE Story. Come to Gronkuwa to share with us. “Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and LOVE; and the greatest of these is LOVE.” 1 Cor. 13:13.
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| GBA Works Behind the Scenes for All of Georgian Bay |
 GBA, Georgian Bay Association, is an umbrella group of 20 cottage associations, PaBIA being the largest, representing over 4,000 families along the eastern and northern shores of Georgian Bay. Formed in 1916, their mandate is to act as stewards of the fragile and finite water and land resources of the Bay.The GBA’s primary role is to advocate on behalf of Georgian Bay cottagers to all levels of government and especially with the Province and the Feds. The Executive Director, Bob Duncanson, is the primary initiator and point person in this area acting on behalf of the Executive and Board of Directors, and ultimately the members. As a result, this is where the vast majority of our budget is allocated.
At a recent planned Special Meeting of the Member Associations of the GBA, it was agreed to implement a $5 per Member fee increase effective January 1, 2016. This will mean that fees to GBA will increase from $45 to $50 per year per Member. The decision to request a fee increase was not taken lightly.
Currently there are a number of open files that the GBA has been working on including: First Nations (see the Wiky article), Fisheries, Government Relations, Lands and Forests, Water as well as ongoing communication with the GB5: GBA, Georgian Bay Land Trust, Georgian Bay Forever, Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and the Eastern Georgian Bay Stewardship Council.
One example of their diverse involvement was their active role in the recent Federal Election to ensure that all candidates were well aware of issues that impact the Georgian Bay. Bob Duncanson, the Executive Director, prepared questions that could be asked of candidates in order to establish their position on key issues. The GBA congratulated and subsequently made contact with key successful candidates including an initial meeting and brief chat with Bill Morneau the new Federal Finance Minister. GBA will continue to work hard to ensure that we have a strong relationship with the key decision makers in the departments that have the most impact on the Georgian Bay. Also at the Federal level, Bob continues to meet with the Canadian Chair of the International Joint Commission to discuss water levels and related matters. Please look to the GBA Website for more detailed information on the ongoing concerns around water levels. On other fronts, the GBA has had great success this year with increasing awareness about the impact of Phragmites, identifying the invasive species and assisting associations to mobilize their members to try to eradicate it. The Phragmites workshop held in April ’15 was well attended and the videos are now available on GBA’s YOUTUBE Channel . Bob continues to make deputations to Municipal Governments and meet with the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario to discuss aquaculture, Asian Carp, Phragmites and endangered species legislation.
In Land Use, the GBA has had an impact of the Henvey Inlet wind farm.
In Fisheries, the GBA has been very active with the politicians to encourage the allowable 20% increase in feed Quota for fish farming which translates as farm waste in the Bay.
Water quality issues fall into three categories: drinking water (for human health), recreational water quality (also for human health/enjoyment) and the long-term health of the water ecosystem. The Georgian Bay Association strongly supports monitoring programs for all.
Recent meetings with all levels of government in this area include:
– meeting with Minister of Environment and Climate Change to discuss aquaculture and water quality.
– made a deputation at Queens Park in support of the Great Lakes Protection Act; attended the vote with successful outcomes and met with the Minister and his staff afterward to discuss next steps.
– participated in the State of the Bay workshop hosted by GBBR
– attended meetings of the binational Great Lakes Executive Committee as they continue with the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
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| Fall Cottage Patrol: NO Problems! |
Bruce Tiffin, our off season cottage patroller has reported in after completing his rounds, that he found no problems – only a few doors open (which he closed) for cottages where he wasn’t totally sure folks had left for the season. This is ALL good news! Thanks Bruce!
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| Welcome to the PaBIA Board, Earl Manners! |
 We welcome Earl Manners to the PaBIA Board of Directors as our new Director of the Governance Portfolio. He has been at the forefront of Ontario labour relations in the education sector his entire career. He graduated from Carleton University with a degree in Sociology and Economics and the University of Toronto, receiving a Bachelor of Education. Earl spent the first 10 years of his teaching career with the Grey County District School Board. He served on the executive for the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. In 1995, he was appointed President of OSSTF. From 2003 to 2007, he worked as a consultant in labour relations and communications, including the Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB).Today, Earl is the Human Resources Administrator for the TLDSB. His reputation for strategic decision-making and drive for achieving results has been recognized by school boards, federations and unions, and government representatives of all political stripes. Earl currently lives in Lindsay with his wife and two children.
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| Welcome, Christie Barrett! New Junior Regatta Chair! |
Christie Barrett is currently working at PepsiCo Beverages on the Sobeys team. After graduating from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Management she stayed in Halifax for the year to work with Pepsi and just relocated home to Mississauga. Christie grew up as an Ojibway camper and was fortunate enough to spend many summers in PaB as a staff member. One of her favourite parts of the summer was volunteering at the Junior Regatta, so she is looking forward to running such a traditional event and seeing all of her old campers!
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| December 2015 Water Level Chart |
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2015 Water Levels
December 3,2015
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PaBIA Board of Directors & Chairs
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Sincerely,
Your Directors
Pointe au Baril Islanders’ Association
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PaBIA Board Minutes – October 2012
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