NEWS RELEASE
RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
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The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition (RLSC) has put forward suggestions to the Province of Ontario as it prepares for the 2026 budget. They are asking for practical steps that connect housing development, transit funding, and environmental care in the Lake Simcoe area. Based on their latest report, “Protect Our Plan: From Good Goals to Practical Progress,” RLSC’s recommendations highlight how decisions made in the provincial budget can facilitate growth where it makes sense while addressing long-term environmental and infrastructure challenges in one of Ontario’s rapidly growing areas. “Lake Simcoe demonstrates why we need to plan housing, transit, and environmental protection together,” said Jonathan Scott, executive director of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition. “By focusing growth in serviced communities that support transit, we can minimize sprawl, safeguard natural areas, and decrease long-term costs associated with infrastructure and water treatment.” Lake Simcoe serves over half a million people by providing drinking water, recreational activities, agricultural benefits, tourism opportunities, and natural flood protection throughout the region. The key points in RLSC’s pre-budget submission for 2026 include: A focus on housing and transit-led development in serviced regions: RLSC encourages the province to prioritize dense residential growth near existing settlement areas-especially along established rail lines. Investments aimed at enhancing regional transit and related infrastructure will help communities expand vertically rather than horizontally, reducing sprawl while protecting natural cover and decreasing runoff and flood risks to the lake. Utilizing tax relief for better environmental outcomes: The coalition suggests expanding Ontario’s Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program while creating a specific tax exemption for riparian zones around Lake Simcoe. These naturalized buffers help lower runoff and flooding while also cutting downstream infrastructure costs-providing tangible environmental benefits through an incentive-based model. “Lowering taxes to protect our water is both good policy and good politics,” stated Scott. Curbing road-salt pollution while aiding small businesses: RLSC proposes establishing a limited-liability framework for certified snow removal contractors similar to those found in places like New Hampshire. This approach would help reduce excessive salt usage that harms waterways while ensuring small businesses benefit from increased certainty and savings. This change could be included in the budget bill. Making sure infrastructure investments bolster watershed health: The submission emphasizes that maintaining stormwater systems should be part of broader infrastructure updates. Properly functioning stormwater management is critical for supporting higher-density housing within serviced areas as well as managing flood risks and protecting water quality. The coalition’s submission also acknowledges recent provincial contributions toward Lake Simcoe initiatives including the Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Reduction Facility alongside funding dedicated to monitoring efforts, research projects, agricultural washwater treatment solutions, and natural heritage conservation efforts. They stress how vital it is to build on these investments through coordinated policy choices within future budgets. “Ontario has a chance now to demonstrate that we can integrate housing delivery with transit expansion while also caring for our environment,” said Scott. “The 2026 budget presents an opportunity to connect these elements practically and cost-effectively.” RLSC has shared its proposals with local Members of Provincial Parliament from the Lake Simcoe area and looks forward to ongoing discussions as preparations continue for the 2026 budget. *************************
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RESCUE LAKE SIMCOE COALITION
*************************
The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition (RLSC) has put forward suggestions to the Province of Ontario as it prepares for the 2026 budget. They are asking for practical steps that connect housing development, transit funding, and environmental care in the Lake Simcoe area. Based on their latest report, “Protect Our Plan: From Good Goals to Practical Progress,” RLSC’s recommendations highlight how decisions made in the provincial budget can facilitate growth where it makes sense while addressing long-term environmental and infrastructure challenges in one of Ontario’s rapidly growing areas. “Lake Simcoe demonstrates why we need to plan housing, transit, and environmental protection together,” said Jonathan Scott, executive director of the Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition. “By focusing growth in serviced communities that support transit, we can minimize sprawl, safeguard natural areas, and decrease long-term costs associated with infrastructure and water treatment.” Lake Simcoe serves over half a million people by providing drinking water, recreational activities, agricultural benefits, tourism opportunities, and natural flood protection throughout the region. The key points in RLSC’s pre-budget submission for 2026 include: A focus on housing and transit-led development in serviced regions: RLSC encourages the province to prioritize dense residential growth near existing settlement areas-especially along established rail lines. Investments aimed at enhancing regional transit and related infrastructure will help communities expand vertically rather than horizontally, reducing sprawl while protecting natural cover and decreasing runoff and flood risks to the lake. Utilizing tax relief for better environmental outcomes: The coalition suggests expanding Ontario’s Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program while creating a specific tax exemption for riparian zones around Lake Simcoe. These naturalized buffers help lower runoff and flooding while also cutting downstream infrastructure costs-providing tangible environmental benefits through an incentive-based model. “Lowering taxes to protect our water is both good policy and good politics,” stated Scott. Curbing road-salt pollution while aiding small businesses: RLSC proposes establishing a limited-liability framework for certified snow removal contractors similar to those found in places like New Hampshire. This approach would help reduce excessive salt usage that harms waterways while ensuring small businesses benefit from increased certainty and savings. This change could be included in the budget bill. Making sure infrastructure investments bolster watershed health: The submission emphasizes that maintaining stormwater systems should be part of broader infrastructure updates. Properly functioning stormwater management is critical for supporting higher-density housing within serviced areas as well as managing flood risks and protecting water quality. The coalition’s submission also acknowledges recent provincial contributions toward Lake Simcoe initiatives including the Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Reduction Facility alongside funding dedicated to monitoring efforts, research projects, agricultural washwater treatment solutions, and natural heritage conservation efforts. They stress how vital it is to build on these investments through coordinated policy choices within future budgets. “Ontario has a chance now to demonstrate that we can integrate housing delivery with transit expansion while also caring for our environment,” said Scott. “The 2026 budget presents an opportunity to connect these elements practically and cost-effectively.” RLSC has shared its proposals with local Members of Provincial Parliament from the Lake Simcoe area and looks forward to ongoing discussions as preparations continue for the 2026 budget. *************************
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