Economic Development & Environmental Protection: Achieving a Balance

Muskoka Watershed Council seeks to preserve and enhance the air, water and terrestrial ecosystems of the watersheds in Muskoka, for their environmental, health, economic, spiritual and intrinsic values. Council believes that the most effective way to sustain healthy watersheds is through cooperative approaches to watershed management, based on sound research that informs thoughtful and defensible policy positions. Council believes in working cooperatively with a cross-section of stakeholders in pursuit of sustainable development and environmental best practices. This position paper is the sixth in a series published by Council since 2003. Council supports taking a „green economic‟ approach to economic development. Green Economics establishes the interdependency between economics and ecology. Unlike traditional economics that focuses solely on the financial outcome, green economics presents a broader approach and is characterized by considering the physical and biological contexts of an activity and has a focus on long-term environmental sustainability. We are committed to the enhancement of the health and sustainability of those watersheds lying partially or totally in the District Municipality of Muskoka. While this paper will reference Muskoka for the sake of clarity and simplicity, we believe its conclusions are equally valid for adjacent municipalities within the larger geographic area encompassing those shared watersheds. A healthy and sustainable watershed has been defined as a watershed where economic, socio-cultural and environmental attributes are in balance: there are fulfilling and well paid jobs; the social structure is strong and supportive; and the natural environment is healthy and not under stress. The natural environment is the foundation of a sustainable Muskoka. Our lakes and natural areas provide our drinking water, sustain plants and animals, moderate climate and clean our air. They are the essential elements of the scenic beauty that attracts visitors, provides the foundation of our tourism industry and underlies much of our recreation. Large natural areas and their ecosystems are the base of our economy. They are critical to retaining watershed health and water quality. They are fundamental to the quality of life that Muskoka residents value. As reported in the 2004 and 2007 Report Cards, Muskoka Watershed Council has always approached watershed health as a balance of environmental, socio-cultural and economic interests and believes firmly that a healthy environment and a vibrant economy are synonymous. If we are to protect these values, hard decisions are needed now to limit urban development to urban areas, and to protect the large rural and waterfront areas for future generations. We need to define and encourage sustainable economic development. We must avoid development that offers short-term benefits while eroding our natural resources. Strengthening nature‟s capacity to cope with change is the overarching message of the 2007 Watersheds Report Card. Sustainable economic development in Muskoka must adhere to this principle. Through the late 19th century and the 20th century, Muskoka‟s economy evolved through lumbering, steamboats, tanneries, boat building, grand resorts, the cottage industry and manufacturing. The strength of Muskoka has been its ability to look forward, accommodate change and still maintain its environmental roots. As we begin the 21st century, our permanent population, tourism, seasonal residents and retirees will drive the retail, construction and services sector to form the underpinnings of Muskoka‟s evolving economy. A review of the Business Retention and Expansion reports of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville confirm the trend. Approximately 43% of the labour force in Muskoka is employed in the Tourism and Service sector. The tourism labour force in the three urban municipalities (Bracebridge, Gravenhurst and Huntsville) ranges from 39% to 44% while in the three primarily rural municipalities (Georgian Bay, Lake of Bays and Muskoka Lakes) it ranges from 46% to 50%.download