Source Protection Committee
Meetings and Membership
Applications to fill vacancies on the Source Water Protection Committee are open until October 2, 2026. Apply now!
Meetings
The Source Protection Committee has undergone a change in membership.
We have updated this webpage to reflect the changes. We also have some vacant positions and this webpage will be updated as the positions are filled.
Membership - Contacts
Peter completed B.E.Sc. and M.E.Sc. degrees at University of Western Ontario. Water treatment and supply were constant elements of his career in both the private and public sectors. He retired after serving as Director of Public Works with the City of Orillia and, more recently, the Township of Tay.
Public health and environmental issues have always been of interest to Peter. He hopes to contribute to the ongoing work of the Source Protection Committee as it serves a large community with diverse stakeholder interests.
Peter is a long-term resident of Orillia. Having raised his family there, he is still active in the community coaching youth soccer.
Source Protection Committee Member
With a background in Nursing, Cate completed her Masters of Science at Queens University. After retirement she continued with some post grad courses in Environmental Studies at Lakehead University in Orillia.
Cate has been a long time advocate in protecting the quantity and quality of water. In her work on Tay Township Council, she assisted with eliminating the invasive phragmites growing in many of their public parks.
Cate is excited to be part of the Source Protection Committee and learning more about how we can ensure this precious water resource is kept safe and available to all.
WTP/WWTP Manager, Facilities & Operations, Chippewas of Rama First Nation
Aaniin, my name is Chad McRae and my spirit name is Entaanokiid, which means, “One who is a good worker” which was given to me by my Great-Grandmother Florence when I was a young boy. Since then, I have lived this name in both my personal and professional life. I am a proud member of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. For over twenty years, I have been employed at the Water/Wastewater Department and became the Manager and Overall Responsible Officer (ORO) in 2020.
Water/Nibi is the most important resource in our world, and I am honoured to help protect it for my community along side of all our well-trained Operators within the department.
Although I have always lived close to the community, I officially returned home to Rama in 2010 and built our family home in 2013. My wife Leslie and I are raising our two boys Emmit and Jack here in our great community. We as a family enjoy camping, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling.
Miigwech,
Chad McRae – Entaanokiid
Mayor, Township of Amaranth
Chris Gerrits has been a resident of Dufferin County for over 40 years and has represented the Township of Amaranth since 2014 and Dufferin County since 2018. Chris is a professional engineer with over 20 years of experience in groundwater exploration and testing as well as municipal well diagnostics, testing and rehabilitation. His education includes degrees in Bachelor Science in Engineering (University of Guelph) and a Master of Science (University of Guelph).
Chris has also served as the municipal representative on the Central Lake Ontario, Toronto and Region and Credit Valley (CTC) Source Protection Committee since 2016, sits on the Upper Grand Watershed Committee, is a former 2nd Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and Board Member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, was a Founding Member of the Canadian National Ground Water Association and has been a Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Licenced Well Technician for over 25 years.
In his personal time Chris enjoys running long distance races and spending time with his wife of 20 years and their three children.
A graduate of the University of Guelph, Colin now farms with his wife Susan and son James in Springwater Township. They milk cows and farm 1,250 acres of hay, corn, soy and wheat.
Colin is involved in a number of boards including the Simcoe County Agriculture Advisory Board and the Nottawassaga Valley Conservation Authority Agricultural Advisory Board. Additionally, Colin is involved in the Simcoe Federation of Agriculture, is an Agricultural Representative on the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Committee, Director of Grain Farmers of Ontario and a Property Manager for a children’s camp in Midland.
In his spare time, Colin enjoys antique 1930s cars, golf and spending time with his grandchildren.
Senior Environmental Engineer and Partner at Azimuth Environmental Consulting, Inc
David Ketcheson, a public representative, was a senior environmental engineer and partner at Azimuth Environmental Consulting before retiring in 2021. Over his 40 year career, he conducted numerous ground water flow and contaminant transport projects as a private and public consultant. David holds a Masters degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering from the University of Waterloo. He has overseen all engineering-related works including: municipal water supply studies, wellhead capture evaluations, municipal solid waste landfill design, contaminant transport evaluation, dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) evaluation, bacterial and parasite studies/treatment, communal sewage treatment and remedial systems design.
It is Dave’s hope that his experience in source water studies throughout the Province will prove useful to committee members and the public.
Dave has lived in Simcoe County all his life, where he was a dairy farmer for more than 30 years. During this time, he contributed strongly for many years to the important county dairy producer committee system, a grassroots approach which forms the foundation of the Dairy Farmers of Ontario.
Although retired from dairy production, Dave continues to be a cash crop and maple syrup producer. His wide range of experience has taught him the value of dialogue, of being willing to listen and take into account other perspectives in the development of policy.
Dave is a Councilor in Tay Township Ward 2, a Director on the Severn Sound Association, and an Agricultural Representative on the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Water Protection Committee. Additionally he sits on the Board of Trustees in Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland and is a past Chair of the Simcoe County Milk Committee.
Geoff Allen and his wife, Deb, have a farm in Clearview Township, where he has also been a real estate professional for nearly 20 years. As a landowner dependent on well water and having a significant waterway (Lamont Creek) running through the property, he has developed a keen interest in protecting and enhancing all of the water that is in and that passes through his acreage. For the last 4 years he has been involved with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority and their Land Stewardship Program and has worked with them on streamside planting to shade and stabilize the banks of Lamont Creek and to provide a buffer on a tributary headwater stream that crosses one of the fields, to help filter nutrient runoff.
In his real estate practice, Geoff has a close association with the aggregate industry and is well aware of the challenges they, and particularly the municipalities in which they operate, face when dealing with water used in production and the care of waterways and wetlands they are in proximity to.
As a landowner, realtor and finally as a Rotarian, Geoff is eager to do his part on the Committee to protect our drinking water sources.
Ian Chadwick is a veteran of 40 years in the media, including reporter and managing editor for Collingwood’s Enterprise Bulletin newspaper, local correspondent for CBC’s Ontario Morning, and host of the current events program, Politically Speaking, for Rogers TV. He has been editor and feature writer for several magazines including InfoAge, Microcomputer News, Moves, Antic, and Discover Mexico. He is a book author with three recent books published by Municipal World, and was book editor for Holt, Rinehart & Winston publishers. He has written for many publications across Canada and the USA, and published newsletters and websites for special interest groups.
Ian served on many local boards and committees in Collingwood and was elected to Collingwood Council for three terms. After that, he was communications director for the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA) until 2020. During that time, he was also a member of the local SPC. He currently serves on the board of the IOOF longterm care facility in Barrie, and is a volunteer for Collingwood’s Optimists Club annual Mother Of All Yard Sales event.
Manager of Capital Projects, Town of Penetanguishene
Jeff has worked in Public Works for the Town of Penetanguishene for 12 years as both a Water Operator and in his current role as Manager of Capital Projects. Prior to that, Jeff worked in several other townships and cities in Municipal Water & Wastewater for 6 years.
He has also worked on the Great Lakes with the Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Jeff is a graduate of Georgian College with a Diploma in Environmental Engineering Technology which has been furthered by his professional membership with the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.
Jeff’s niche background in both the Municipal Water sector and his experience with the Severn Sound Environmental Association and Ministry of Conservation and Parks will lend themselves to thorough decision making.
Director of Growth Services, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury
Jennifer Best joined the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury in June of 2024 as Director of Growth Services leading the Town on significant urban growth planned for the next 30 years. More recently, she was at the Town of New Tecumseth for 3 years as the Planning and Building Department’s Director. Jennifer has over 25 years of planning experience at the local, county, and regional levels in development and policy planning. In her experience, she has held various profiles including agricultural, environment, source protection, servicing, public engagement, housing, and sustainable residential programs. Jennifer is a collaborator and believes that bringing people together is the best method for implementation of planning policy and plans. She holds a degree in urban and regional planning and a master’s in public administration and is a registered Professional Planner.
At Jennifer’s time at York Region between 2012 and 2021, she was responsible for assisting the Environmental Services Water Resources group by bringing her planning expertise to implement the Source Protection Plans for South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe and CTC (Credit Valley, Toronto and Region, and Central Lake Ontario) source protection regions at the Regional and local levels. To ease the implementation, Jennifer developed and produced planning templates for local municipalities to translate source protection plan language into land use planning language that was used by the local municipalities in collaboration with local municipal, conservation authority and MECP (Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks) staff.
Junior Project Coordinator for Metrolinx
Jessica is a Junior Project Coordinator for Metrolinx’s Environmental Programs and Assessment group and sits on the Source Protection Committee as an Economic Sector Representative.
Previously she has worked for the City of Toronto in Solid Waste Management assessing environmental impacts of closed landfills. Jessica also worked for Golder Associates where her work focused on environmental remediation and environmental impacts of landfills within Simcoe County.
Jessica is a graduate of Wilfird Laurier University with a B.Sc in Biology (Minor in Chemistry) and completed the Environmental Technician Program at Sir Sandford Fleming College.
John Hemsted was born and raised in Simcoe County. He received his degree in Agriculture from the University of Guelph. Since university, John has been actively involved in animal agriculture. John, his wife and daughter have a sheep farm in Oro-Medonte Township. John has been actively involved in his industry’s organizations from county to national levels.
John chaired the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency for six years where he was involved with the early consultation in the development of the Nutrient Management Act and Source Water Protection. John and his family were one of the first participants in North Simcoe County to carry out an Environmental Stewardship project with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.
John has been actively involved for the past eight years on the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Water Protection Committee where he, along with two other members, represents agriculture.
Karen has been a resident of the South Georgian Bay–Lake Simcoe watershed for over 30 years, where her deep connection to the land and water has shaped both her personal and professional life. With a strong background in environmental research and water quality, Karen brings a science-based, community-grounded perspective to source water protection.
Her academic work has focused on aquatic systems, water quality monitoring, and wetland research, particularly in relation to nutrient dynamics and natural filtration processes. Karen’s hands-on experience includes research in Lake Simcoe and local wetland sanctuaries, as well as graduate-level studies exploring how plants influence water purification.
Karen also draws from a practical background in agriculture, having worked on farms earlier in her career. This experience gives her a unique appreciation for land stewardship and the importance of protecting water at its source—from both an ecological and agricultural standpoint.
Through her combined local knowledge, research experience, and passion for environmental protection, Karen is committed to supporting sustainable water resource management for the long-term health of her community.
Risk Management Official with the City of Barrie
Katie Thompson is a Risk Management Official with the City of Barrie. Prior to joining Barrie, she worked on the Source Water Protection program for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, where she played a significant role leading up to the development of the policies in the Source Protection Plan for the region. She has a unique perspective on the interrelations between the science foundation, policy framework and implementation aspects of the Source Protection Program, having worked in all phases of the program.
Katie has Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geoscience from Brock University, and is a P.Geo.
Contract Coordinator, City of Kawartha Lakes
Michelle has worked in Public Works for the City of Kawartha Lakes for 16 years; first as a Water Treatment Plant Operator for 14 years and now in her current role as the Contract Coordinator in the Water & Wastewater division.
Michelle is a graduate of Fleming College with a diploma in Environmental Technology, and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science with Honours from Trent University. She is a Class 4 Water Treatment Plant Operator, Class 3 Water Distribution and Supply Operator and holds her Operator in Training certificates for Wastewater Treatment & Wastewater Collection.
Since beginning her role as the Contract Coordinator she has been involved with the Source Water Protection Committee which includes staff from the City of Kawartha Lakes and Kawartha Conservation. Michelle’s extensive background with Municipal Water will give her the ability to offer an efficient and thorough perspective to the committee.
Director, Environmental Services, Township of Oro-Medonte
Michelle joined the Township of Oro-Medonte in 2013 and is currently the Director of Environmental Services where she provides technical and business oversight to the department, the Municipal Services Corporation, and Township corporate operations. Prior to her work with the Township she was employed in the private engineering sector with a focus on environmental investigation/assessment/remediation and drinking water analysis.
Michelle possesses a post-secondary diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies and a postgraduate certificate in Business Administration. She is also a Certified Engineering Technologist and Risk Management Official/Inspector/Property Entry Inspector under the Clean Water Act and a licensed Water Quality Analyst under the Ontario Utility Licensing Program.
Michelle’s experience with municipal water operations and governance, environmental science and her work with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority stormwater working groups, the Severn Sound Environmental Association climate change and risk management groups and the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks will all support the goals and decision-making of the Source Protection Committee.
Vice President of Duncor Enterprises
Rick Newlove is Vice President of Duncor Enterprises and sits on the Committee as one of the Economic Development representatives.
Rick is a professional engineer with over 30 years’ experience in the municipal field. His knowledge in the areas of planning, operations, forestry, environment, by-law enforcement, engineering and construction bring a wealth of information to the Committee.
Rick sees the major challenge of this group to be educating and reaching out to the general public because of the extremely large geographic areas that the committee represents.
Project Engineer for Resilient Consulting
Samantha Archibald is a Project Engineer at Resilient Consulting, bringing more than a decade of specialized experience in Stormwater Management and Water Resources Engineering. A graduate of Carleton University with a degree in Environmental Engineering, Samantha began her career with the North Bay–Mattawa Conservation Authority, where she supported the implementation of the local Source Protection Plan. She later transitioned into consulting engineering, ultimately joining Resilient Consulting in 2019.
Over the course of her career, Samantha has designed a variety of stormwater management solutions, including underground storage systems, and low impact development (LID) technologies, with a strong focus on resilient, sustainable design. Her expertise spans the full project lifecycle, from early conceptual planning through to final construction.
Samantha looks forward to applying her industry expertise and practical experience to support the committee’s work.
Senior Engineer for SCS Consulting Group
Sarah Kurtz graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1995 with a B.A.Sc. in Civil Engineering with Options in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering. She has been in the industry since graduation and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in stormwater management and land development engineering.
Sarah has been responsible for the management and technical execution of a wide variety of engineering projects that include: environmental master drainage plans, stormwater management plans, floodplain management, erosion and flood control, and master servicing and preliminary engineering feasibility studies. During these projects she has been directly involved with all levels of government review agencies to assist in securing well-timed approvals in order for these projects to be completed in a timely and fiscally responsible manner.
Sarah leads an SCS team that is responsible for the preliminary and detailed design of servicing systems and stormwater management facilities for many residential subdivisions and site plans and commercial and office developments throughout the GTA, as well as providing engineering services to several large land developer groups. Sarah’s experience includes provision of expert witness services at the Ontario Municipal Board.
Sarah has been a part of the Professional Engineers of Ontario since 1997. Currently, Sarah is a member of BILD and she also participates in on-going industry and agency initiatives related to improving the land development process.
Stephanie Hobbs was appointed to the Committee as a community member-at-large.
Stephanie has a degree in Forestry from the University of New Brunswick, specializing in tree biology and forest ecology, and has a strong environmental background. She has lived in Simcoe County since 2004, first in Hillsdale and currently in Severn Township. As the Executive Director of the Simcoe/Muskoka Literacy Network for 19 years, she led or participated in community planning consultations on an ongoing basis. Stephanie has served on a variety of non-profit local and provincial Boards of Directors and Committees. In retirement, Stephanie continues to work with community organisations, both as a consultant and a volunteer.
Prior to 2004, Stephanie lived in Walkerton. In the wake of the water contamination disaster, she carefully followed the Walkerton Inquiry daily and later participated in the Class Environmental Assessment to determine appropriate water sources and methods of source protection for Walkerton. Stephanie, therefore, brings a unique range of skills and experience, and perhaps a unique perspective, to the Committee.
Program Manager, Source Water Protection and Risk Management Official, York Region
Tom Bradley is a Professional Geoscientist with over 20 years of experience in groundwater management. He serves as Program Manager of Source Water Protection and Risk Management Official at the Regional Municipality of York, where he has worked since 2006. Tom has led key initiatives including the implementation of the South Georgian Bay – Lake Simcoe Source Protection Plan and the York Region Tier 3 Water Budget. He also sits on the Credit Valley, Toronto and Region, Central Lake (CTC) Source Protection Committee.