____________________________________ Just received this message and thought others may be interested, so here it is. David Doyle MemoryMaker too _www.CruisingTheGreatLoop.com_ (http://www.CruisingTheGreatLoop.com) Good evening, Over the past year you have responded to an online opportunity to voice your concerns about the future of the Trent Severn Waterway and Rideau Canal. Thank you for your previous support which was instrumental in bringing forth to our Federal Government, the direct impact the Waterway Operation has on you. In early May of this year Minister Kent announced a “lockage fee freeze” for the next 3 years. Within his announcement was the following comment….. “During this time, Parks Canada and I will work with local Members of Parliament, community leaders and the tourism industry to develop and implement an improved operating model to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the canals operations. These long term solutions will need to address all aspects of the canals operations.” So…. The Trent Severn Waterway Working Group has been formed to work towards the described goals above. We are pleased to announce the launch of _www.trentsevern.ca_ (http://www.trentsevern.ca/) The website offers members of the general public the opportunity to find information about, and show their support for, the Trent Severn Waterway Working Group. The Group is committed to working with federal, provincial and local governments to find a solution to the short- and long- term issues affecting the Trent Severn Waterway. The Trent Severn Waterway is an important natural resource which is being underutilized. Our website will be the hub of information about the Trent Severn Waterway, and will give the community the voice it needs in helping to ensure the long-term financial and environmental sustainability of the Waterway. The Trent Severn Waterway Working Group website outlines the Group’s goals and mission statement, and provides a sign-up page for those interested in joining the initiative. Key goals of the Group include ensuring that current cutbacks to canal operations do not permanently damage the long term sustainability of the waterway, and addressing the many important issues important to the Canal community, including but not limited to navigation, cultural and historic interpretation, infrastructure, environmental protection, and water management issues. We invite all members of the community with an interest in the Trent Severn Waterway to visit our website and join the Trent Severn Waterway Working Group. Current members of the Group include Ontario Waterway Cruises, Lift Lock Cruises, Happy Days House Boats, Voices for the Trent Severn Waterway, Mayor John Williams (Quinte West) and Peterborough Community Council. For those of you living along the Rideau Canal – stay tuned…….. We are all following closely, the work presently underway this fall with the Community stakeholder engagement process. We look forward to reviewing the outcome of this initiative. Thanks again for your ongoing support to our Historic Canals of Canada.. Marc Ackert, Captain M.V. Kawartha Voyageur skipper@cruiseontario.ca _www.trentsevern.ca_ (http://www.trentsevern.ca/)