new survey: Cottage Country Hot Topics & FOCA's Roles
We need your help to share this FOCA survey! FOCA is polling all waterfront users about their thoughts on the top issues facing Ontario waterways this year, and how well FOCA's work and various communications channels (Elert, website, social media, etc.) serve your needs. Here is the link:
Please circulate the survey link to your waterfront neighbours, and share it widely on social media. The survey is anonymous, and is open until July 24, 2022.
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FOCA Champions Safe & Affordable Rural Living |
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Extreme Weather aftermath
The last FOCA Elert went out just before the May long weekend and all the wind-related tree damage across south central Ontario and Quebec. FOCA’s thoughts are with everyone who was affected by the extreme weather. Despite all the damage, we were heartened by the many stories of neighbourliness, resilience, and community spirit that emerged in the storm’s aftermath. Our sincere thanks to all the hydro crews who have worked around the clock to restore power. See a short video from Hydro One, uploaded to Facebook on June 2nd.
image: S. Robertson, Jack's Lake
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Register now: FOCA Cottage Succession Seminar
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 by webinar from 7:00-8:30pm. Join FOCA and estate lawyer Peter Lillico for the introductory session in our annual Cottage Succession Seminar Series: "Keeping the 'Family' in the Family Cottage." This event is free to all FOCA members (member families of our Member Associations), as well as our Annual Supporters, but pre-registration is required. Please include your FOCA affiliation when you register here.
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#WakeAware Marine Ambassadors
Has your local marina signed on as a Marine Ambassador in the Be #WakeAware campaign? If not, please speak with them about why they should! They can join marinas from Lake Erie to Sudbury to the Thousand Islands that have all pledged to help spread the word this season about the impacts of boat wake on shorelines, loons' nests, swimmers, and small watercraft like canoes or paddleboards. Find out more here: https://www.bewakeaware.com/
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Watch for Waterbombers
While you are enjoying Ontario's waterways, remember that waterbombers need room to scoop water from lakes for fire-fighting. Boaters who venture too close can obstruct these efforts, and create a dangerous situation for themselves and pilots. Waterbombers won't scoop from a lake or river if encroaching watercraft pose a safety hazard. You can help by staying clear of waterbombers. Click the poster at the side for details, and get more info by clicking here. For an update on the current wildland fire situation, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/forest-fires
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Broadband Developments
In May, the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN) announced more work to close the gap in cellular and high-speed broadband service, with tower upgrades and anticipated new tower construction across eastern Ontario. Read about this and related news on FOCA's Utilities & Rural Services webpage.
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Short-term Rental: Municipal Developments
The Municipality of Trent Lakes has approved a phased-approach to Short-term Rental (STR) and enforcement, leading to a planned "nuisance by-law" in 2023 with monetary penalties for offences. Meanwhile, Tiny Township has directed enforcement officers to operate on a zero-tolerance mandate related to by-law infraction, and Seguin Township (which had banned STR in 2020) has decided to re-open public consultation on the issue. Get details of these and other developments on our webpage: https://foca.on.ca/responsible-cottage-rental/
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FOCA's Gold level sponsors |
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Sponsors support our work, please support them. |
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FOCA Advocates for Responsive Government |
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Provincial Election recap
Following the provincial election earlier this month, which delivered a majority to the Progressive Conservative government, Ministers and Ministries for several key portfolios affecting FOCA and our members have been shuffled. See all the details, and get links to your riding results, here: https://foca.on.ca/ontario-provincial-elections/
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upcoming FOCA "Lunch & Learn" webinar: Municipal Election Engagement for Associations
Wednesday, July 27, 2022 webinar 12:00 - 1:00pm
Do you know who is entitled to vote in a Municipal Election? What issues are managed at the municipal level of government? Can a volunteer Association host an all-candidates event, or endorse particular candidates? Get answers to these questions, and hear examples from other lake associations about engaging in the municipal election process.
This event is open to all FOCA Member Associations, but pre-registration is required. Please remember to specify your FOCA affiliation when you register:
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Your personal call to action TODAY: Log in to voterlookup.ca where all eligible electors can confirm or update their electoral information or add an elector name to an address. You will need your 19 digit roll number (available from your Property Tax Assessment Notice or tax bill). Make sure you can 'make your mark' in the Municipal Elections on October 24!
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Finding a Site for Ontario's Nuclear Waste
Two sites remain in the offing - Ignace and South Bruce - to become a deep geological repository for long-term storage of nuclear waste from Canada's CANDU fleet of nuclear reactors, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has confirmed. Find out more and what happens next on FOCA's webpage: https://foca.on.ca/nuclear-waste-management/
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FOCA Serves Lake & Road Associations |
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video: About FOCA for Associations
If you are having your AGM or an association Board meeting soon, consider sharing a short video about FOCA, and the benefits Associations and their member families receive through annual FOCA membership!
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borrow this idea: Create a Good Neighbour Guide
Our members on Balsam Lake at the Indian Point Property Owners Association have developed a one-page set of "good neighbour guidelines" including tips for being on the water, on the road, garbage, fireworks, rental and more. Member Associations can email FOCA for a copy of this, and other, welcome guide templates!
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FOCA Associations in Action
As events begin to return to in-person gatherings this summer, FOCA asks our Member Associations to remember the annual FOCA Achievement Award, and take some pictures of your association in action. We'll prompt you later this summer to apply for the 2022 Award on behalf of your great lake or road association. In the meantime, be safe, have fun, and TAKE PICTURES!
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Association Members: Do your members know about ALL their FOCA benefits?
All members of our Member Associations are entitled to access a series of discounts, special offers, and other benefits. Get an overview (and login for information about the member access codes), here:
You'll need your FOCA Member login for this and other member materials on the website. Don't have, or can't recall, the login? Email info@foca.on.ca, and we'll reply during business hours.
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FOCA's Silver level sponsors |
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Sponsors support our work, please support them. |
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FOCA Promotes Healthy Lands, Lakes & Rivers |
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new funds: Green Shovels funding - Invasive Phragmites projects
Following successful projects by FOCA member Associations undertaken in 2021 with Green Shovels Collaborative funding, FOCA is pleased to issue a new call for funding proposals from our member Associations for on-the-ground projects focused on invasive Phragmites, to start this summer and be completed by February 2023. Get details and the application form on our webpage:
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Lake Partner Program Update
We’ve had yet another great start to the sampling season this year! Spring samples are preferably collected in April/May. Lake Partners: if you haven’t already sent in your samples, we are still accepting kits. Thus far, a total of over 1000 samples have been collected and submitted to the chemistry lab of the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch. Thank you to our Lake Partner volunteers for your continued efforts and appreciation for lake preservation. Happy sampling! Learn more about the program here: https://foca.on.ca/lake-partner-program-sampling-assistance/.
Pictured: Jacqueline Krzywania & Anna DeSellas with returned water samples.
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Clean, Drain, Dry
You can prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species!
With over 180 non-native species already established in the Great Lakes, preventing the spread of invasives can seem like an overwhelming task. Yet, there are simple things that you can do to stop their spread like Clean, Drain, and Dry your boat. It’s the law! Learn more here:
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IsampleON & eDNA
In the coming weeks FOCA's 2022 IsampleON volunteers will begin sampling and sharing educational messages about preventing the spread of invasive species at the lake. IsampleON is a citizen science program targeted at water sampling for invasive zebra mussels and spiny waterflea.
These volunteers will also be taking samples for eDNA testing, an exciting technological development. eDNA (short for "environmental DNA") is genetic material that is shed into the environment by living or dead organisms, allowing DNA to be extracted from a habitat, as opposed to a single individual specimen. These samples can confirm the presence of, and identify, several different species. Learn more about eDNA from our partners at the Invasive Species Centre, here: https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/edna/
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webinar recap: Zebra Mussels
June 15, 2022 - FOCA held a webinar about the history of zebra mussels in Ontario, where and how they are spreading, and how they are impacting our waterways.
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event recap: Canadian Water Summit
June 3-5, 2022, Niagara Falls - FOCA's Executive Director participated in the annual Canadian Water Summit with colleagues from across the national water community to communicate and collaborate on topics relating to drinking water, wastewater and storm water, as well as policy, projects and innovations in the water industry.
Pictured: Terry Rees, Chris Hilkene of Pollution Probe, at the Summit
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webinar recap: Healthy Shorelines
June 16, 2022 - FOCA and our partners held a webinar, Healthy Shorelines, Healthy Lakes: Municipal Planning Tools to Protect our Freshwater. The goal of the workshop was to impart the science behind the concept of vegetated buffers, municipal planning, and policy tools for healthy shorelines and better vegetative buffers, and featured real world examples from three different Municipalities. Learn more & review the webinar recording by clicking here.
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Partner Report: Economic Impact of Invasive Species on Municipalities
The Invasive Species Centre and partners released a report estimating the annual expenditures across Canada on various invasive species; municipalities and conservation authorities in Ontario alone spend an estimated $50.8 million per year! Across the country, the greatest expenditures were on Emerald Ash Borer, followed by Eurasian Watermilfoil. Several infamous species known to FOCA's members also made the list including Phragmites, Spongy Moth, and Zebra & Quagga Mussels. A link to the report is posted here: https://foca.on.ca/invasive-species/
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Asian Carps Prevention
The best way to protect native fish populations, recreational boating, and tourism across Ontario is to prevent Asian carps and other invasive species from entering the Great Lakes. There are four species of Asian carps that are invasive to North America. Be on the look-out for: Silver Carp, Bighead Carp, Black Carp and Grass Carp. Be part of the fight to prevent the spread of invasive species and report any sightings to the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711, or visit https://www.eddmaps.org/ontario/. Learn more, here: https://foca.on.ca/asian-carp/.
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Reliable and Fast Internet in Cottage Country |
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Enjoy your time at the cottage without worrying about reliable connectivity!
Whether you’re unwinding or working at the cottage, you can stay connected with Rogers wireless home internet so you can stream and surf to your heart’s content. Rogers also offers seasonal suspend to give you the flexibility to pause your service in the off-season and reactivate when you need it.
Limited time offer with special savings for FOCA members. Get pricing information here: https://foca.on.ca/rogers-offer-whi/. Call your local dedicated Rogers specialist at 647-274-5035 to learn more and check eligibility.
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Partner Updates & Regional Notices |
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event recap: Haliburton Home & Cottage Show
June 3-5, 2022 - FOCA was pleased to meet with Haliburton area waterfront enthusiasts at the Haliburton Home & Cottage Show earlier this month. A popular topic of conversation? Cell and internet availability! FOCA handed out "Clean + Drain + Dry" signs for boat launches, shared the #WakeAware video, and distributed brochures to attendees about Invasive Species and Managing your Waterfront in a Changing Climate.
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event recap: LOWDSA AGM
May 2022 - FOCA's Executive Director Terry Rees attended the virtual Annual General Meeting of our largest member Association, the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association, and was very pleased to receive a prize paddle for his participation in the LOWDSA AGM quiz!
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KLSA Water Quality Report
FOCA's colleagues at the Kawartha Lakes Stewards Association (KLSA) have released their 2021 Annual Lake Water Quality Report: Lake Stewardship in Action. The 72-page report is filled with information, including a report on water sampling during the pandemic, updates on lake management plans, Starry Stonewort, and much more. Click to download a copy of the report (PDF).
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borrow this idea: Bancroft Litter BINGO
Looking for a community event that can involve all ages? We like the "Litter BINGO" card created and circulated by the Town of Bancroft. Click here to view the image. This idea could be easily adapted by your Association to encourage a shoreline or boat launch cleanup, or to contribute to the local rural municipality's efforts to beautify the waterfront or a downtown green space. Get creative!
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FOCA's Bronze level sponsors |
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Sponsors support our work, please support them. |
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FOCA is saddened to learn of the recent passing of long-time volunteer John McGee in Barrie, Ontario. John was FOCA's lead on the hydro rates file for many years, lending his extensive experience on all things 'electric' for the benefit of the province's rural and waterfront electricity ratepayers. His input and dedication to the file, and to fairer energy pricing, benefitted so many. He will be missed.
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The FOCA office will be closed Friday, July 1, 2022.
We wish you and your families well on this Canada Day long weekend! Be safe & enjoy the great outdoors.
Fun link:
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FOCA is the Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations,
the voice of the waterfront for the past 60 years.
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