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FOCA Elert ~ January 2025 | |
FOCA AGM & Spring Seminar | |
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REGISTER NOW!
Join us at the FOCA Annual General Meeting and Spring Seminar for Associations on Saturday, March 1, 2025 in-person (Thornhill) or by Zoom webinar.
The theme is "Strengthening Our Members" and topics include:
- benchmark statistics about lake and road associations from FOCA's recent member survey
- the 2025-2027 FOCA strategic plan
- member success stories and the presentation of the 2024 Terry Rees Achievement Award to a member association
- and expert speakers discussing association good governance tips, community cardiac safety solutions, and more.
Last year, in-person spots sold out quickly, as space is limited to 100. Register here: https://foca.on.ca/events/#upcoming
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FOCA Advocates for Responsive Government | |
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Provincial Election Called Early
As announced on January 29th, an early provincial election will take place on February 27, 2025.
FOCA has created a "key priorities" overview and a template letter you can use to ask local candidates about provincial priorities that impact waterfront Ontario communities. Please use and share these resources! Get details about designating your vote riding, FOCA's key priorities list, a link to the voter Register of Elections Ontario (to confirm, update, or add your information in order to receive a mailed Voter Information Card with details on when, where and how to vote), and other important links on FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/provincial-elections/
Important: You only get one vote in the provincial election, even if you have residences in more than one electoral district. If you do have two residences in Ontario, statistically speaking your vote may be "worth" more at your waterfront property where there are fewer voters. FOCA encourages you to vote where you are entitled to, and where you feel your voice is strongest on the issues that matter to waterfront Ontario. Consult our website (link above) for details.
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Federal Government Prorogued & Capital Gains Tax Implications
On January 6, 2025, Justin Trudeau announced he will resign his post as Prime Minister once a new leader of the federal Liberal party is chosen on March 9. He then prorogued Parliament which will not sit again until March 24.
What does this mean for the capital gains tax inclusion rate change announced last summer but not yet law? Read an overview from the legal minds at Fasken, FOCA's work on this file, and related news coverage on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/property-taxation-assessment/
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Ontario Recreational Boating Advisory Committee
FOCA sits on the Transport Canada (TC) Ontario Recreational Boating Advisory Committee, and participated on January 21, 2025 in the annual meeting held at the Toronto Boat Show, where we heard updates about the following:
- comments received late last year during the public consultation period on modernizing the Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations;
- proposed safety amendments affecting vessels, including licensing changes;
- comments from late 2024 consultation about proposed mandatory wear of PFDs;
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long term anchoring (floating accommodations) update from TC.
All these updates are posted for members under the login on FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/boating/
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ROMA
On behalf of our members across rural Ontario, FOCA participated in the annual conference of the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) in Toronto last week with municipal partners, the Premier, and Ministers. This year's theme was "Rural Routes". Catch up with images from the event on our social channels: Instagram and Facebook and follow up for regular updates.
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Ontario Investing in Dams
In late December, the Government of Ontario announced it is investing over $75 million to extend the lifespan of 10 dams across the province, including in Espanola, Whitestone, Mattawa, Atikokan, Huron Shores and more. Get the full list of locations in the provincial media release.
image: Kirk Doughty
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Winter Emergency Preparedness
In addition to the recent plunging temperatures, winter can bring heavy snow loads, freezing rain, and icy conditions that threaten your property’s safety and integrity. Read an overview (PDF, 2 pages) filled with practical tips to protect your property and prepare your family to successfully ride out "the storm" in an emergency. Stay safe and stay warm!
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FOCA's Gold Level Sponsors | |
sponsors support our work, please support them | |
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Kokomo Botanical Resort is a private, gated, full-service residential resort offering a turnkey, hassle-free ownership experience. With no property taxes, it's a great multi-generational investment for families, usable year-round without the upkeep. Owners enjoy resort amenities like spa services, pools, and personalized beach butler service. Whether you’re planning a relaxing getaway or an adventure-filled vacation, this voucher gives you the perfect chance to experience the beauty of Turks and Caicos at a great value. Don’t miss out on this special offer—your Caribbean cottage awaits!
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FOCA Champions Safe & Affordable Rural Living | |
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Ice Cover & Safety
As recently as January 18th the Great Lakes were only at half their average ice coverage level. However, the recent cold snap has popped the ice level up much closer to the historic average for late January. Consult the graphs and daily ice maps of the NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory for more information (source of the image at the side).
FOCA reminds everyone that no ice is 100% safe. Get important ice safety tips on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/ice/#fall
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Extreme Cold & Home Insurance
In the midst of the deep freeze earlier this January, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) published a new blog on the topic: Does my insurance cover damage caused by extreme cold? While the article suggests many policies will cover typical damage due to extreme cold, FOCA reminds our members to always contact your insurance professional to review the specifics of how your policy would respond in particular situations. It's best to know what you are covered for.
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LAST CALL! Funds for Wildfire Community Preparedness Events
FOCA encourages each of our member associations to apply for a $500 award to hold a Wildfire Community Preparedness Day between May and October next year. There are lots of resources available to help you plan your local event. Learn more and apply by January 31, 2025, here:
https://firesmartcanada.ca/programs/wildfire-community-preparedness-day/
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Passing the Torch: Cottage Succession Corner | |
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Ask the Expert
We are launching a new Elert feature: Passing the Torch - your cottage succession questions answered by lawyer Peter Lillico, the expert speaker in FOCA's ongoing Cottage Succession Seminar Series.
Our first question comes from Bob C:
"We purchased the cottage in 2009 and it became our principle residence in 2015. If we sell it in 2025, how do we get the value in 2015 to calculate the capital gains between 2009 and 2015?”
Members can login with their Username on FOCA's webpage for the answer from Peter: https://foca.on.ca/cottage-succession/
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FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & Rivers | |
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Invasive Phragmites Control Fund
With support from Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ontario Phragmites Action program is pleased to announce that the Invasive Phragmites Control Fund is seeking proposals for grants to support groups or organizations to implement Phragmites prevention and control activities in Ontario. Applicants can receive up to $50,000 for coordinated actions in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Review video sessions from the Invasive Species Centre with general program information and details about in-kind contributions and budget-planning. The Applicant Guidelines are posted online; apply by February 12, 2025.
image: Kaleigh Mooney
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Clean + Drain + Dry
Associations: are you already thinking about content for your Spring 2025 newsletter? Remind your members about the importance of preventing aquatic invasive species. Feel free to use the words below!
If you are a boater, you have an important role to play in preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. In Ontario, it's the law: you must clean, drain and dry your boat before moving it between lakes or rivers. This helps prevent the spread of invasive species like Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, spiny water flea, and many more. Learn how and then spread the word: https://foca.on.ca/invasive-species/
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Partner Updates & Regional Notices | |
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Supercharged Snowstorms
As the Great Lakes continue to warm, we enter an era of supercharged snowstorms like the one that hit Gravenhurst in early December 2024. Read an article from The Canadian Press about that storm and what we can expect from future storms, from a link in the "Latest News" section of our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/climate-impacts/
image: Richard Peters, Sunny Lake east of Gravenhurst, December 2024
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partner event: Rainy-Lake of the Woods Forum
March 12-13, 2025 - The 22nd annual forum for the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed will take place in International Falls, Minnesota. Sessions include: watershed governance; aquatic invasive species; monitoring and adaptive management; nutrients, algae, and cyanotoxins; and sediment nutrient studies. Read the program abstract online here and pay to register at this link.
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Possible New Nuclear Power Plant(s)
Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator forecasts electricity demand in the province could increase by 75% by 2050. The Ontario Government asked Ontario Power Generation (OPG) to explore possibilities, and OPG released a shortlist late last year suggesting potential new nuclear plants near Port Hope, in Haldimand County, and in Lambton County. Now, CBC News reports the conversation is underway in the Port Hope area, with the municipality and local First Nations. Get a link to this news and related information: https://foca.on.ca/nuclear/
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Charge for Abandoning Barge
In December 2024, the Ontario court fined someone $10,000 for abandoning a dilapidated home-made barge that sunk on Lake Nipissing in 2023. Read the news as reported by Muskoka 411, from a link on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/floating-accommodations/ where you can also download a flowchart guide of "who to call" if you see a nuisance floating accommodation on Crown land waterways in Ontario.
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Muskoka Lake System Health Survey
Members in the District of Muskoka are encouraged to participate in a public survey about lake system health and what challenges it. The survey is open until February 6, 2025 and will help inform the District's policies for waterfront development and environmental protection.
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Checking Radon Levels in the Thunder Bay Region
Local residents are invited to purchase long-term radon test kits for their residences, from EcoSuperior. The purchase price includes lab fees and return postage. Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when the uranium in soil and rock breaks down. Learn more about the test kits from EcoSuperior (source of the image): https://www.ecosuperior.org/testing-for-radon
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Detecting Nanoplastics
Read an interesting article about Canadian researchers detecting nanoplastics in water using AI-based solutions, as published in the November-December 2024 edition of Water Canada Magazine, from a link in the "Latest News" section of our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/plastics/
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Lake Erie Restoration Goals & Actions
FOCA attended a recent information session about the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' (DFO) Lake Erie restoration goals and actions. A new Restoration Action Dashboard (RAD) has been introduced for the Lake Erie watershed (source of the image at the side). This geospatial tool highlights strategic actions underway that are focused on fish and fish habitat restoration. Users can explore the map through icons representing various restoration themes, each linked to specific goals and actions. RAD aims to enhance evidence-based restoration efforts, aligning with DFO’s priorities and considering current land use. FOCA will continue to monitor the project's progress, on behalf of our members in the region.
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Trans-Canada Highway: Manitoba-Ontario Border
For our members who access their waterfront properties from the eastern Manitoba stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, please note that FOCA has received a letter about an upcoming virtual stakeholder meeting to evaluate alternatives as part of a conceptual design study for twinning the 16km section of the highway from west of Falcon Lake to the Manitoba-Ontario border. Click to download information about the February 4, 2025 meeting (PDF, 1 page) and how to RSVP if you want to attend.
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Rural Community Wellbeing & Climate Change
Are you curious about how climate change will impact your community? The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) has created an amazing free Community Wellbeing Dashboard that includes climate change indicator data in support of local climate action or adaptation plans. Search for projected changes in precipitation or winter season length, among many parameters. Review the ROI webinar for an overview about the tool, and access it here: https://www.ruralontarioinstitute.ca/wellbeing/.
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Kawarthas Water Fund
Kawartha Conservation (KC) has launched their 2025 Water Fund for landowners and not-for-profit community organizations in the KC watershed. Projects can include waterfront naturalization, tree planting, erosion control, septic upgrades and other efforts to positively impact water quality or ecosystem health. Apply now as funding is limited, and applications close on April 30th. Learn more, read the Application Guide, and access the link to schedule a consultation about your proposed project, here: Water Fund | Kawartha Conservation
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partner event: Invasive Species Forum
February 18-20, 2025 - register to participate in the virtual Invasive Species Centre forum that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, neighbouring U.S. states, and beyond. The 2025 theme is "Advancing Community Action". Register for the free virtual event here.
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partner event: Watersheds Canada Conference
May 1-2, 2025 - purchase a ticket to participate in the first Watersheds Canada National Conference, which will be held as an in-person event in Haliburton, Ontario.
Review the agenda and speaker details online here: https://watersheds.ca/conference/
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FOCA Serves Lake & Road Association Members | |
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New 2025 Proof of FOCA Membership for Rogers Pricing Benefits
New year, new access code! Please note that members looking to access the Rogers Preferred Pricing Plan offers will need to download the updated 2025 Proof of FOCA Membership card to complete their order.
FOCA members are encouraged to login on the Benefits webpage to access the discount codes for all the member benefits and offers from our sponsors and partners - like the Kokomo and Park'N Fly offers, Rogers Preferred Pricing plan, AEDs from Action First Aid, Canadian Canoe Museum & Cottage Life Magazine subscription discounts, and the CottageFirst group insurance program for your cottage, boat, car, and more.
Association representatives: please ensure your fellow members know about and are taking advantage of all their member benefits!
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Login for all your FOCA Member Benefits
Please note that all our Member Associations and our annual supporters - the "Friends of FOCA" - have been onboarded to FOCA's MemberPress system with individualized web logins. As a result, the old generic "focamember" login has been discontinued.
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Association Member Families: Your association renewal contact has a link (specific to your association) that you can use to set up your own unique Username and Password as a Sub-Account of your association, in order to access all the member benefits and members-only materials on the FOCA website. Please ask your association representative to reach out to FOCA if they need assistance locating the association's link.
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For the Birds: Choosing Feeders and Seed
The folks at Birds Canada have published a blog about how to choose the right feeder for your backyard birds. Do you want to attract hummingbirds or cardinals? Finches or chickadees? Choose your feeder type and seed accordingly! In addition to the great tips in the blog, FOCA adds the following caveat: if you are located in bear country, your bird feeder could attract a much larger visitor, so beware. Enjoy the blog and consult the bear safety tips here.
image: Kate Dagleish via BirdsCanada.org
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FOCA: Inform. Protect. Unite.
FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations, the voice of the waterfront for over 60 years. Find out about YOUR ROLE.
info@foca.on.ca | 705-749-3622 | https://foca.on.ca
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