(Queen’s Park) – Today, Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop tabled his Lake Simcoe Protection Resolution.

After months of consultation and input from various stakeholders, the resolution is scheduled to be debated on Thursday, November 23, 2006.

“In my opinion, the state of the quality of water in Lake Simcoe is deteriorating and the Province of Ontario must play a far more important role as the total population of the County of Simcoe and the cities of Barrie and Orillia is expected to grow by at least 60% over the next 25 years”, said Dunlop.

“It is essential that the Province of Ontario provide the necessary resources to protect the watersheds of Lake Simcoe and the Nottawasaga river before large scale development proceeds”, added Dunlop. “The quality of life for the people of the region is in jeopardy without added provincial involvement”.

The research compiled by MPP Dunlop indicated that this is the first time in the history of the legislature that Lake Simcoe and the quality of water in the lake would have specific time set aside for debate.

“I look forward to debating the resolution and hope that all parties will support its intentions, which I believe will be a giant first step in having the province take a more responsible role in the protection and enhancement of the water quality in Lake Simcoe”, remarked the Simcoe North MPP.