The Georgian Bay Association (GBA) has announced recipients of its annual Champion of the Bay Award, recognizing outstanding community volunteers who demonstrate exceptional environmental stewardship across the Georgian Bay region.
The award celebrates grassroots efforts from GBA’s 18 cottage associations, highlighting individuals who protect Georgian Bay’s natural environment while inspiring others to get involved. This year’s recipients represent a diverse group of volunteers whose dedication has made lasting impacts on their local communities.
In addition to recognizing environmental stewards from each of GBA’s member associations, the Champion of the Bay Award also recognizes one person from the greater community. This year’s Community-at-Large Champion of the Bay recipient is Tom Buck of Meaford.
When Tom Buck discovered TC Energy’s proposal to develop a large pumped storage facility on Department of National Defence lands near Meaford, he realized he needed to take action. Alarmed by the significant risks of increased fish mortality, water turbidity, water contamination, and habitat destruction, Tom spearheaded the creation of Save Georgian Bay (SGB), an entirely volunteer-driven grassroots group dedicated to blocking TCE’s project.
For the past six years, Tom and SGB volunteers have remained resilient and committed to raising awareness and demanding transparency from TC Energy and federal agencies.
“His efforts helped shift the conversation from speculation to evidence, empowering citizens and local governments to ask hard questions and demand transparency from TC Energy and federal agencies,” said Save Georgian Bay member Pasq Zita.
Ongoing advocacy efforts include engaging an environmental lawyer to develop SGB’s legal strategy, supporting focused land, water, and species research, petitioning the Auditor General of Ontario to review the project approval process, hosting the annual Save the Bay Polar Dip to raise awareness and funds, and organizing a successful SGB Flotilla last summer to bring attention to TCE’s test drilling at their proposed intake site.
“We have an outstanding team of volunteers who care about this incredible Bay and its ecosystem. The many hundreds of people involved with us, from all around the Bay, are like me, serving and protecting our neighbours, family and friends,” said Tom Buck.
“The Champion of the Bay Award is about recognizing the incredible dedication of community members who quietly make a difference every day,” said Katherine Denune, Chair of GBA’s Champion of the Bay Committee. “These recipients exemplify the power of community-driven environmental stewardship and inspire others to take action.”
For more information about the award and the Georgian Bay Association, please visit their website: https://georgianbay.ca
