General

This is great news for those having problems booking sites and routes in Ontario.
NB has some amazing places to paddle.
New Brunswick is lifting travel restrictions from outside the Alantic bubble for Canadian residents, but you will need to pre-register and show proof of at least one vacination as they will still have a border check point on the Quebec New Brunswick Border.
Press release June 16, 2021
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2021.06.0469.html
To register
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/travel-registration…
For those of you in Southern Ontario and looking for a great destination destination it is about a 12/12 hour drive to the NB/QC border from the western end of the GTA.

Jeff

Image from the Wolastq river (First Naions name; "a beautiful river") also known as the St John river
In Florenceville-Bristol N.B.

I was wondering if anyone has information, tips, suggestions for making a sail for a 17’ canoe (for single canoe use). We have an old tent we thought we could use to make a sail, Thanks. I can be reached at jim_diane2004@yahoo.ca.

Cool update on the Bear Train proposal
(formerly ACR Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst)
Even with once a Week service (one northbound, one southbound) it will reopen a huge area of crown land, lakes and rivers.
You would be in for a week unless you were doing a river like the Sand, but whats wrong with that :)
Jeff
https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/bear-train-proposal-back-on-track-3…

Some of you may consider this as political and yes, it is, but in this case I feel it is vitally important that we as an outdoor community gets involved.
I have shared a post of an example from Alberta on how bad legislation can really infringe on our ability to get out in the areas we love.

Ontario conservative Government - Bill 229 Schedule 6.

Many of you are probably aware of the growing number of upset groups and people over the provisions of this bill and its effect on the various Conservation Authorities in Ontario.

When you get these provincially mandated groups and the areas they represent being incredibly vocal over these changes you need to sit up and pay attention.

When you get a lifetime Conservative like David Crombie presently the Chair of the Green Belt Council and 6 other members of this group resign over this you better pay attention.
The action by these people is un-precedented!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/david-crombie-ontario-environmen…

If you are wondering what this has to do with canoe tripping or backcountry travel, this circumnavigating around current environmental rules and planning is a shot across our bow.
We have to look no further than what is happening in Alberta with the privatization of public
parks and lands.
I quote “

“Check out the video this Hunter made of an area now proposed as an open pit coal mine for which he was fined $600
https://youtu.be/bNvNq0UHOoQ
“

We have to stop this kind of legislation in Ontario now or face some severe issues in the future like those in the Alberta outdoor community are confronting now.

Contact your local conservation area club or group on how best be involved.
And we do need your help.

Jeff
As the WCA Conservation Chair I could really use some help and need members to get involved in this issue.
If all goes according to plan this week I will be on shelf for a few weeks as I undergo some shoulder surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff that has kept me out of the boat (and just about everything else) since mid September.
We really need a very strong presence in this issue from all members of the outdoor community.
Thank you for any effort you can add!

For those wondering why getting involved to get rail service back to Northern Ontario is important.
Taking a train to the remote areas of our province is an amazing way to travel to and from some spectacular areas of our Province
It is a great way to get there in all four seasons and with the popular areas getting over used in some areas it is a great opportunity to show support to our northern communities.
For those of us who have done these trips there is no arguement on their value.
So take the online survey and get involved.
Link to the survey is in the first line of the story.
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/58928/ontario-seeking-feedback-on-im…
Image is from my 2014 ACR trip and I also used the train for easy winter access to the canyon.
Jeff

Today we mourn the loss of iconic Canadian outdoor equipment retailer Mountain Equipment Co-op. After several years of financial challenges, including currently being under creditor protection, MEC has been sold to Los Angeles based Kingswood Capital Management. The sale received unanimous approval from MEC's board of directors as the best available option to preserve the co-op as an outdoor retailer and retain as many jobs as possible. MEC member Canadian Eric Claus will lead Kingswood's new Canadian Affiliate.

MEC presently has 22 stores, and anticipate this will have to be reduced to around 17. As well, expect to see changes in product offerings and reductions in range of products sold. For paddlers, climbers and other participants in niche sports with low volume sales, we should expect this change of product lines, especially in hardware, will be significant.

MEC dividend cheques and gift cards will be honoured during the transition period. However, prudent shoppers will be pulling them out of the drawer and using them ASAP.

From online chatter, many long time Co-op supporters sound not happy about the change to a US-based for-profit company. However, the alternative was likely a going-out-of-business sale. If you do want to express your displeasure by cashing in your $5 share, you will have to make a claim as a general creditor.

https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/mountain-equipment-co-op-sold-to-u-s-private-investment-firm-as-pandemic-take-toll

Night sky alert!!!!
Starting July 13 Comet Neowise becomes evening visible just after sunset and it may still be naked eye visible or better!!!
With its location to the Big Dipper it should be easy to locate.
https://spaceweather.com

Night sky map July 13
https://spaceweather.com/images2020/13jul20/skymap_13jul20_evening.png

Heres hoping that it gets better!

Jeff

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many changes for sports and recreation organizations. The WCA is currently reviewing its waiver forms and activities procedures to ensure that organizers and participants have a safe, enjoyable experience on our outings, and that the club is fully compliant around all COVID related regulations. To that end, the Board of Directors is reviewing and revising our club waiver forms and outings procedures documents. We would very much appreciate hearing from any members who are lawyers who would be willing to assist us with this important club initiative. If you can help us, please contact Gary Ataman.

This is something all you outdoor entusiasts should take into account if you are making moives or stories.

I just saw this today.

This is the recently updated guide for when you refer to the First Nations Peoples of Canada.

https://hillnotes.ca/2020/05/20/indigenous-peoples-terminology-guide/

Hello WCA.
New member here and I live in Toronto but spend most of my canoe time in Temagami. I'm refurbishing a 50 year old cedar strip made by the Temagmi Canoe Company and, because I can't travel up there at the moment, i was wondering if anyone can recommend the best put-in location in the GTA to test out the canoe. Calm water and dock would be preferable but probably not doable. I live here but I'm just not sure of the best locations to drop a canoe in the water?
Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Rob