View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores

The GBCF provided Aquafest with its backing, which included the use of its charitable number
and insurance, which allowed us to apply for grants, issue tax receipts, and, in general, receive
and disperse funds. As you may know, the GBCF has asked that we move to an independent
status from them, which will facilitate their ability to support us financially by supplying grant
funds. The bad news for us as a volunteer group is we no longer have the legal or financial
structure and status that allows us to apply for the many grants that have supported Aquafest.
The good news is that, once we find a new partner who can provide us with the financial
framework and structure to apply for grants, and issue tax receipts, we may continue our good
work. We have approached many groups to help provide the kind of support we have enjoyed
with GBCF, including Communities in Bloom and, as yet, have not been able to find the right fit,
due to a number of reasons including mandate or poor timing. Nonetheless, the GBCF has
earmarked a grant for Aquafest 2013 of $10,000. Lambton Shores has similarly approved a
community grant for Aquafest 2013 of $2000. With these funds, we have sufficient funding to
continue Aquafest’s three-day event. We have a program, we have the manpower, and we also
have letters from a number of community groups who provide annual sponsorship with cash, inkind
resources, and volunteers.
All of our events are free admission to ensure that there are no barriers preventing anyone from
learning about water and how to protect it, or to participate in any of our activities. We have
relied on in-kind and financial support from a number of organizations including Lambton
Shores, Grand Bend Rotary Club, The Royal Canadian Legion of Grand Bend, TD Friends of
the Environment, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, among others.
We are missing but one thing.
The Aquafest Committee is requesting that council provide us with support to continue to hold
this important event in 2013, and beyond. We believe there may be a model, similar to the
Canada Day event, which would provide us with the ability to receive and disperse funds
through the municipality, and provide us with the insurance to mount our event. We humbly
submit to you that Aquafest is an event with an excellent brand and reputation and has enjoyed
excellent media coverage locally and beyond – including London, Kitchener, Goderich, in all
media including television. We have even achieved national coverage with the National Post.
Our message and our community have enjoyed excellent and positive profile as a result of
these efforts. Additionally, Aquafest is something our municipality could easily reference in
discourse with other levels of government or other jurisdictions, as an example of a productive
contribution to water preservation.
We are aware that you are asked to support many worthy causes and activities. We are not
asking for staff involvement beyond the supporting mechanisms for insurance coverage, and in
applying for grants when tax receipts are required. We can tell you; this cause benefits every
living person, animal and plant in our community and beyond. Water protection and
preservation is something we all need to embrace. And to be clear, Lambton Shores is our last
resort for this type of support. We will not be able to do this without you. That is just the reality
we have had to reluctantly face.
Thank you for your time and consideration. http://www.grandbendaquafest.ca/
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