The second portion of our interview with Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry John Yakabuski focuses on the Muskoka River Water Management Plan again, this time looking at two areas of contention.
The minister has said the MNRF’s dams are not intended as flood control. However, Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding and others argue that part of the plan’s mandate includes that. We asked Minister Yakabuski if this was the case. Here is his reply: (1st portion of above audio)
Secondly, with the current flooding situation, we asked the minister if the now roughly 15-year-old plan which relied on earlier data when it was created, should be updated in light of recent major flood events (2013 and 2019). Here is his reply: (2nd portion of above audio)
On Friday, Premier Doug Ford is expected to meet with Harding to discuss the plan while he is in Muskoka. Ford will be addressing an Ontario wide Chamber of Commerce Meeting in Muskoka Lakes as part of the day’s itinerary.
