Local political leaders are urging the public to get involved to send a strong message to senior government and especially the International Joint Commission (I.J.C.) urging action on Lake Ontario’s historically high water levels.
The International Joint Commission, which involves both Canadian and American membership, is the body responsible for monitoring and adjusting the lake’s levels as water eventually flows east into the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River system.
Mayor of Quinte West Jim Harrison hopes the public will show up for a rally this Wednesday (November 20) in Trenton to back up politicians’ demands that the water levels be immediately reduced.
Flooding was again a serious problem causing millions of dollars in property damage this year and in the recent past, and some experts warn that the flooding could even be worse this coming spring unless the I.J.C. takes action to drop the lake’s levels.
From left to right: Mayors Marg Isbester, Napanee, Brian Ostrander, Brighton, Mitch Panciuk, Belleville, Jim Harrison, Quinte West, and Warden of Hastings County Rick Phillips. All of these local leaders want action on Lake Ontario water levels. (Photo: Quinte News)
“We’ve heard from the Commission that they received very few complaints about high water levels this year. That’s hard to believe but we want to make sure they hear our message loud and clear! Residences, businesses, and municipal infrastructure are being damaged by this regular flooding and we know that something can be done anytime now to help people and organizations live normal lives,” says Harrison.
“We’ve got support from the American side of the lake and from mayors and others up and down the shoreline.”
The water levels rally is set for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens.
Meanwhile, a public demonstration on high water levels is planned for Ottawa outside the International Joint Commission office and on Parliament Hill next Saturday November 23.
The group organizing that rally, which will begin at noon, is coming from Gananoque and Brockville.
