FOCA e-news: May 2025

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Our vision is to sustain and enhance the cottage experience for generations.

Thank you to everyone who has copied FOCA on your letters to the Premier and Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) in support of saving the Lake Partner Program (LPP). FOCA has received over 500 emails, and has seen lots of media coverage on the situation, which remains in limbo at the time of sending.

FOCA's agreement with MECP ended March 31, 2025, and we have not received an update as we approach the busiest sampling weekend of the year. Click "more" for details on our webpage.

Message to our Lake Stewards: Please go ahead with your lake sampling as usual, while we continue to advocate to secure the funding and agreement for this year's program!

Canada Post has announced the possibility of another postal disruption on or after May 22, 2025.

Lake Stewards: please send your samples as soon as possible! In the event of a strike, you can keep samples in the fridge for up to 3 months, and we will follow with more details as they become available.

Association Members: FOCA has measures in place to minimize postal disruptions using digital renewals. Please do not send cheques by mail during a postal strike; if you are unsure how to renew, contact the office for assistance during business hours.

FOCA has written the Premier, Ministers and all MPPs to oppose omnibus Bill 5 that proposes to dismantle the Endangered Species Act and remove various environmental protections from the development permit process. Use FOCA's template to send your own letter before the public comment period closes on May 17, 2025. Click "more" for details on FOCA's Land Use Planning webpage.

Images are from Ontario's Species at Risk webpage

May 12 marked the 25th anniversary of the Walkerton water tragedy in Ontario. Read FOCA's media release on the subject, and a joint-letter sent to the Province with our partners at the Canadian Environmental Law Association and others, calling for action on safe drinking water for all Ontarians. Click "more" for links on FOCA's webpage.

FOCA was pleased to see the Province launch a Health and Safety Water Stream last month, as a step forward to address aging water infrastructure in small and rural communities. This targeted funding responds to calls from FOCA and partners like ROMA to stop the downloading of responsibilities to municipalities without adequate support. Get links and learn "more" in the Latest News section of FOCA's Rural Services webpage.

image: Deborah Martin-Downs

Please help FOCA continue to support thriving and sustainable waterfronts across Ontario for future generations, through our government advocacy and education.

We ask you to make a one-time or recurring donation today.

Each cottage is unique, which is what makes it ours! No two cottage insurance policies will be exactly alike which is why it is so important you and your insurance provider understand the needs of your property. Click "more" for a 2 page tips sheet to get started.

An update from our partners in risk management - administrators of the FOCA Association Insurance Program and CottageFirst group insurance for cottagers

Spring is the perfect time to increase your property’s wildland fire resilience. With some simple actions around your cottage, you can significantly reduce the risk of wildland fires impacting structures on your property. Start at the roof, work your way down the exterior wall and then onto the Immediate Zone, Intermediate Zone and Extended Zone.

Download the FireSmart Begins at Home App to walk you through a home and structure assessment. The FireSmart Begins at Home Guide is also an excellent resource to get you started on your FireSmart journey. For more resources and information on FireSmart, visit FireSmartCanada.ca. For wildland fire information and updates in Ontario, visit Ontario.ca/forestfire.

For all your Spring fire safety tips, click "more" to visit FOCA's webpage.

As part of Emergency Preparedness Week earlier this month, FOCA hosted a free public webinar designed for cottagers and rural homeowners. Click "more" to watch the event recording from a posting on FOCA's Fire Safety webpage, and to learn ways to reduce wildfire risk and protect your home and family.

Often considered Canada’s worst invasive plant, Phragmites is an aggressive grass that has negative impacts on the economy, environment, and society in Ontario. The Ontario Phragmites Action (OPA) program is here to help manage the impacts. 

Click to learn "more" about invasive Phragmites, from OPA.

Think you may have spotted an invasive Grass Carp? Learn how to ID them versus common look-alikes. Click "more" to be taken to FOCA's webpage for links to additional information, including a webinar about identification tips. Report sightings in Canadian waters by calling Ontario’s Invading Species Hotline: 1-800-563-7711, or online using EDDMapS. (image: Asian Carp Canada) We need your eyes as part of our early detection system to protect the Great Lakes!

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Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (7:00pm-8:30pm, Zoom): Join FOCA and estate lawyer Peter Lillico for AGREEMENTS AVOID ADVERSITY, a deep dive into one key aspect of your family's plan for shared usage of the cottage: a cottage sharing agreement. Click "more" for details and to register (free for members!).

FOCA is excited to offer a special new on-demand 1.5 hour video recording about cottage succession tax planning with expert advice for both American and Canadian owners of Ontario cottage properties. Click "more" for details, the member discount code for $75 off the regular price, and the order link.

Each month, estate lawyer Peter Lillico answers a FOCA member question about cottage succession planning. This month's question comes from Gordon B.:

"I have [my cottage in] a trust [for my adult children]; do I have to file a separate return each year?"

Click "more" to be taken to the FOCA Cottage Succession webpage where members can login to read Peter's response to the question.

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FOCA is working on a 2025 update of the popular Lake Planning Handbook and would love to include a link to your association's lake plan, made or updated in the past 10 years. Please email us a link to a digital posting, or send us a PDF copy of your lake plan so we can share your great accomplishment!

Every "Friend of FOCA" and member of our Member Associations can create a unique login to access members-only materials on the FOCA website, including publications and the access codes for offers! Click "more" for details on FOCA's member benefits webpage.

Your association renewal contact has a link (unique to your association) for you to use to set up your own Username and Password as a Sub-Account. Please ask your contact to reach out to FOCA if they need assistance locating the association's link.

sponsors support our work - please support them

Numerous fires from runaway brush fires have already been reported in Ontario this fire season. The extra tinder on the ground from ongoing ice storm cleanup is fuel for the flames.

In southeastern Manitoba and near Kenora in Ontario, a dangerous fire system has already caused over 1000 evacuations. Click "more" for links to the news and current Ontario fire map (source of the image).

May 17 - 23, 2025 is Safe Boating Awareness Week, an ongoing initiative of the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities among boaters. Click "more" for important information including video tips about large and small craft from a link to CSBC on our Boating webpage.

May 21-22, 2025 in Peterborough - Join FOCA and our environmental partners at the 2025 Ontario Biodiversity Summit with the theme: Our Turning Point for Nature. Click "more" to be taken to the Ontario Biodiversity Council's webpage to get details about the program.

The County of Frontenac is seeking input on how people use the lakes and waterfronts in any of the 4 townships in their County, and your concerns about waterfront development and "simplifying the planning approvals process". Click "more" to participate in the County's State of the Waterfront survey.

Thanks to Lake Steward Jennifer G-F in McKellar Township for bringing to our attention the municipality's new resource on Environmental Considerations for Township Residents. Click "more" for a great compendium of tips for living in rural Ontario that is being freely shared with residents. Make this initiative known to your own municipality!

May 1-2, 2025 - FOCA was pleased to participate in the Watersheds Canada Conference with partners and members. Click "more" to review the presentation slides and images from the event.

May 3, 2025 - FOCA was pleased to participate in the Lake Health Meeting of the Coalition of Haliburton Property Owners Associations (CHA). Click "more" to access great septic system and shoreline resources from the CHA website.

image of snapping turtle laying eggs roadside by Terry Rees

It's the time of year when female turtles are moving about in their wetlands to lay eggs. FOCA reminds everyone in cottage country to be on the lookout when driving! Click "more" for tips from Parks Canada about what to do if you encounter a turtle trying to cross the road.

The FOCA office will be closed on Monday, May 19th for the Victoria Day holiday. On behalf of the FOCA Board of Directors and Staff, we wish each of you and your families the very best for the long weekend.

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