General

Be a Gord.

This posting short, sweet and to the point.

Even though this is pretty saturated with the passing of Gord Downie I have a challenge for you.

I would say I am a fan of his music, I am much more a fan of the man who gave his name and his effort to save our waters.

I have long been involved in the fight to protect our rivers.
One of the things I felt most disheartened by was the lack of passion of people to put their names on the line.
Gord DID!
Even before his diagnosis.
He was a board member of Lake Ontario Water Keeper.
For those of us involved to protect our watersheds, it was something that we do not see.

If you are passionate about your rivers and lakes this is the challenge I have for you.

Be a Gord

Put your name and voice on the line!

Comment period is now on for -

DRAFT 2041 Northern Ontario Multimodal Transportation Strategy

If you love the thought or currently or in the past used the train to get to Ontario's remote crown lands then this should concern you.
We really need some wide input from the outdoors community, especially in maintaining rail access to these areas.
For those following what is happening in Churchill Man. you understand the value of the passenger train service.
We need some southern Ont. people to speak up and help out!

For those that have seen the continued loss of easy access to Southern Ont. Crown lands and access points this is important so we can maintain access to Northern crown lands.

You can click on the top bar - How Can I Get Involved?
It will take you to a page on how to easily do it.

https://nomts.ca/draft-northern-ontario-multimodal-transportation-strat…

Just in here is the update!

Please share with all!

We have an opportunity here paddlers, please try and convince those with power of pen to be involved.
We waited a long time for a 2nd chance and we have seen the results of "not wanting to be political"
And I am talking about how we got to this point in the NPA.

This involves all paddle sport participants, so if you float, this is about your rights!

If you are unsure how you should approach this then just be specific that you want to see are access rights ensured under any updates.

Keep it short and to the point, (you want to be heard)

Or contact your local clubs and Provincial and National groups to make sure they are involved.
We need an across Canada representation here so it is not just a few "older" paddlers sitting away at their lap tops typing madly away (but we will anyway :) )

Let's get out of the water for a few moments, so we may all enjoy the ability to keep getting on the water easily!

Links are below the quoted letter.

Jeff

[quote]Good afternoon,

This message is to notify you that Transport Canada has released four (4) supplementary papers on proposed changes to the Navigation Protection Act that can be accessed on the Review of Environmental and Regulatory Processes Canada website.

The supplementary papers focus on the following issues:
1. Context for the Navigation Protection Act Review
2. Restoring Lost Protections
3. Partnering with Indigenous Peoples
4. Open, Accessible, and Transparent Processes

Transport Canada is continuing to seek views over the summer on these supplementary papers, which support the Government of Canada’s Review of Environmental and Regulatory Processes discussion paper, launched on June 29, 2017. The opportunity to comment on this whole of government review is open until August 28, 2017.

Please contact Transport Canada at NPPHQ-PPNAC@tc.gc.ca if you have questions or would like to discuss any of the proposals related to the Navigation Protection Act contained in these supplementary papers or in the government’s discussion paper.

We thank you for your ongoing interest and involvement in these reviews.[/quote]

Links

Review of Environmental and Regulatory Processes Canada
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/…

Context for the Navigation Protection Act Review
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/…

Restoring Lost Protections
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/…

Partnering with Indigenous Peoples
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/…

Open, Accessible, and Transparent Processes
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/assessments/…

If you want to help The Couchiching Conservancy purchase one of the missing puzzle pieces IN QEIIPP,
Here is your chance!
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/New-Nature-Reserve-in-the-works.html…

Here is more on the story
http://www.couchichingconserv.ca/ganaraska-trail-joins-the-effort-to-pr…

Jeff

PS Make sure you tell them you are a paddler!

How to Post an Event on the WCA Website
Revision 2017 06 27

You can use this step by step guideline to help you post a WCA event/

The video is 26 minutes long but well worth viewing

https://www.ontariotravel.net/en/play/outdoor-adventures/paddling-and-w…

Hi WCA

I was wondering if there is any training this season?

thanks

Many thanks to Jeff McColl for all his hard work. His input on behalf of the WCA was acknowledged in the Study of the Navigation Protection Act (attached). Hopefully this input along with the input of other stakeholders will improve the NPA and return protection of all waterways.

Groups representing recreational users expressed concerns about the NPA’s narrow scope, for example, Mr. Greg Farrant, spokesperson for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) told the Committee that the hunting, fishing, trapping and outfitting industries in Canada provide $15.2 billion annually to the national economy, but that much of this money depends on ensuring access to Canada’s lakes, rivers and streams, most of which is on unscheduled waters.The Wilderness Canoe Association, in a submission, suggested that even minor waters deserve protection under the Act because even minor waters can provide significant recreational value and once obstructed, there is little chance that they will again be navigable.

I have Esquif Prelude hull for sale. Has been welded once. Looking for 400
Thanks