FOCA e-news: April 2025

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Welcome to the new FOCA e-newsletter!

Fresh look, same great cottage country news for those who love waterfront Ontario and rely on FOCA for the updates that matter.

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

The Spring melt is underway across the province, with water watches or warnings on most parts of the Ontario flood map, including Timmins, the Kawarthas & Sault Ste Marie. Click "more" to get links to the map and high water notices, on our water levels webpage.

Hydro One is calling it a "generational storm" that devastated parts of central and eastern Ontario, uprooting trees and downing power lines. One month later, and the restoration work continues in some areas. Click "more" for a thank you from Hydro One, and tips to be prepared before, during, and after storms.

Before the first nail is hammered in your construction or renovation project, ensure your property is properly protected. Whether you're building new or upgrading an existing structure, click "more" to download a tips sheet on how to plan ahead, avoid unexpected coverage gaps, and have peace of mind throughout. 

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

Images above are from Ontario's Species at Risk webpage

FOCA is very concerned about a wide-ranging Bill introduced on April 17, 2025. Under the guise of safeguarding the economy in the face of U.S. tariffs, the bill prioritizes development over environmental and species habitat needs - including a proposal to change and then repeal the Endangered Species Act, 2007. It would empower the Ontario government to assign "special economic zones" where provincial law or municipal by-laws are overridden to accelerate development permits. FOCA is researching the fine details of the complex Bill which includes proposed Mining Act changes. FOCA encourages everyone to submit public "comment" by May 17, 2025 to tell the province these legislative changes are unacceptable, and that Bill 5 must be withdrawn.

Ontario's Auditor General has released a special report noting ongoing gaps affect nearly 3 million residents who rely on private wells or small systems for drinking water. Read "more" in the "Latest News" section of our source water protection webpage.

Environment and Climate Change Canada released a report on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), concluding most are harmful to human health and the environment. Public comment can be made on the government’s risk management approach to PFAS until May 7, 2025. Click "More" for related links on FOCA's pollution webpage.

Ontario's Superior Court has dismissed an appeal against Tiny Township's short-term rental accommodation bylaw. Click "more" for a link to the details in the "Latest News" section of FOCA's rental webpage.

Safe burning practices are always important, particularly in the Spring, and especially in light of all the downed trees and brush following the late March ice storm in central Ontario. On behalf of FireSmart Canada, please don't feed the wildfires. Learn "more" on our fire safety webpage, and register for the upcoming FireSmart Ontario webinar, below.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 from 1:00pm-2:00pm by Zoom. As part of Emergency Preparedness Week, join us for a free public webinar designed for cottagers and rural homeowners. Learn ways to reduce wildfire risk and protect your home and family. Everyone is welcome at this event; click to "register."

Our partners at the Invasive Species Centre (ISC) are again offering a free Phragmites DNA Screening Program to help Phrag-fighters determine between native, invasive, or hybrid versions of the plant. Get details from "Latest News" on our Phrag webpage.

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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 important aspect of your family's plan for shared usage of the cottage. Click "more" for details and to register (free for members!) on our webpage.

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 member question about cottage succession planning. This month's question comes from Jim S. Some excerpts are below; click "more" to be taken to our webpage where members can login to read Peter's response:

“We are dual residents currently residing in the U.S. … what key legal and tax considerations should we be aware of … should we consider transferring ownership to our children now … versus including the property in our estate? … How should we weigh the implications under both Canadian and U.S. tax law …”

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In 2010, FOCA won the Ontario Professional Planners Institute annual award for co-authoring the Lake Planning Handbook with consultant Randy French. This digital resource is still available to members to help guide their local community planning discussions; click "more" to be taken to our lake planning webpage and login for the guide.

FOCA is now working on a 2025 update of the lake planning guide and would love to include a link to your association's lake plan, made or updated in the past 10 years. Email us a link to a digital posting, or send us a PDF copy of your lake plan so we can make some noise about 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 for "more" 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. Ask your contact to reach out to FOCA if they need assistance locating the association's link.

We are pleased to welcome back Portia Buchanan who has joined FOCA as our Membership Coordinator this summer. She was a FOCA summer student in 2024, and rejoins us in between her ongoing studies at the University of Ottawa.

Click to learn "more" about all the FOCA team - our dedicated staff and wonderful volunteer Board of Directors.

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Gearing up for another boating season, our partners at the Canadian Safe Boating Council remind us that boat safety education is crucial to prevent drowning. Click "more" to learn about the gasp reflex caused by sudden immersion, on FOCA's boat safety 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, and register.

Attention recreational anglers in Northwestern Ontario: the fisheries management planning process has begun in Fisheries Management Zone 4. Learn about how to get involved and an upcoming public survey, from the Facebook post by Ontario Fish and Wildlife; click "more" to be taken to the post.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has released a "What we Heard & Learned" report summarizing comments received earlier this year about fish and fish habitat restoration goals and actions for the Lake Erie Watershed; click "more" to download the PDF.

The Municipality of Trent Lakes has created a handy flyer for waterfront property owners with shoreline, septic, and other tips. Download it from the "Latest News" on our shorelines & stewardship webpage, and then share the idea with your own municipality!

The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) reports that northern pike are successfully spawning at a constructed wetland embayment near Perth. Read the new 6-year monitoring report from RVCA; click "more" to download the PDF.

Love to garden? Our partners at the Invasive Species Centre have a list of "Top 5 Ways" you can help reduce the spread of invasive species. Get the details in the "Latest News" on FOCA's invasives webpage.

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