It will be good to be able to see the AALM Community in person this July 8 after so many Covid driven Zoom meetings. The AALM Community came through the pandemic in a strong position with a membership and level of participation in AALM activities greater than ever before.

Since its incorporation 112 years ago, the AALM has done whatever is necessary to protect our lakes, land, and the many diverse pleasures that we are privileged to have in this special community. We also provide a forum for members to discuss our differences and to make our views known to governmental bodies at all levels. The AALM has more committees than ever looking after our members, each now with a distinct mandate and budget. We are digging into some divisive issues through collaborative, honest discussions in and between committees as well as a qualitative, in-depth survey.

I want to highlight some of the activities that AALM has done this past year:

1) Committee mandates and budgets:

There are more then 40 AALM members that have volunteered their time to the various AALM committees which now consist of a) Buoys Committee b) Environment Committee c) Manitou Arts and Cultures Committee d) Trails Committee and e) the Water Safety and Education Committee.

Each of the committees now has a written version of its mandate and budget approved by the Board of Directors. Any AALM member who is interested in joining one of the committees should contact the committee chair.

2) Water testing:

Water testing in over 20 locations around Lac Manitou and nearby lakes showed the results that were excellent except at two locations. The families that were affected were immediately contacted . Luckily, follow up testing done just over a week later found the water quality had improved to acceptable standards.

There is going to be a change to the water testing programme in 2023, with the newly revived Environment Committee taking over. The Records of these tests and sightings will be lodged by them with the reseau de surveillance volontaire des lacs (“RSVL”) or the Conseil regional de l’Environnement (“CRE”).

3) Municipal Affairs:

The AALM continues to work closely with the Municipality on issues of concern to our members. While the Municipality retains decision making powers, we continue to feel that we have a positive impact on the decisions that it makes affecting our members.

Amongst other 2022-2023 initiatives, we encouraged the municipality to create a Municipal Park on a portion of the Piche property adjacent to the Petit Train de Nord Trail.

In addition, we have encouraged the municipality to take direct responsibility for running the Nautical Patrol (which used to be farmed out to outside interests) thereby assuring that a greater degree of surveillance will take place more focused, timely, and respectful presence on Lac Manitou, particularly at peak weekend times.

We have also agreed to allow the municipality to place the buoys that dot the lake, to ensure that they are placed and removed on a timely basis. The location of the buoys is subject to consultation with the AALM Buoys Committee.

4) Water Safety and Education:

The former informal Boating Committee has been restructured and renamed the “Water Safety and Education Committee.” It is chaired by Boyd Fuller and its members encompass the different kinds of lake activities: swimming, waterskiing, kayaking, wake surfing, sailing, and windsurfing.

Conscious of recent frictions on the lake, the Water Safety and Education Committee decided to create and share educational videos to help residents enjoy the lake safely and respectfully. The first three should be available before the start of July.

5) Trails Club:

The Ivry Trails Club, chaired by Joyce Arsenault and vice chaired by Alice Lehrer, organized two well-attended hikes during the summer of 2022 as well as the traditional Valdurn to Manitou ski/snowshoe event on February 18, 2023.

The annual trails clearing event was held on October 29 and once again over 60 volunteers cleaned 50 kms. of trails for community use. More Ivry residents used our trails than ever before this winter.

6) Manitou Arts and Cultures Club:

The MACC had a remarkable year in 2022-2023. It started with a very successful zoom tête-à-tête with Ivry resident and internationally acclaimed author Louise Penny on July 2, 2002. That was followed by four well-attended lakeside concerts: a Manitou musicians’ concert on the Prupas Dock, a Broadway on the Lake concert on the Stotland Dock, a Slim Williams concert on the Cantor dock and an Amos J. concert on the Borod dock.

The third iteration of the Manitou and Ivry Art Vernissage took place on July 30, 2022, at the newly built Coopersmith garage and featured some very talented Ivry artists. It was a resounding success with more than 200 visitors and numerous works sold.

The MACC is organizing another very ambitious set of programs for the coming summer and fall. Please see the schedule below and mark your calendars!

7) Environment Committee:

The AALM Environment Committee was re-established at last year’s AGM under Kathy Elder as Chair and Monica Heller as Vice Chair. The Environment Committee started its very active year with a star and planet gazing event on a clear night last August, allowing many to see Saturn and Jupiter for the first time.

The committee is taking over responsibility for water testing and is working with the Reseau de surveillance voluntaire des lacs (“RSVL”) and the Conseil Regional de l’Environnment (“CRE”) to make sure that our water testing is consistent with standards and are properly posted annually.

The Committee is also addressing the pressing issue of invasive species that might be entering Ivry. Please see below its plan to recruit Ivry citizen scientists to help locate invasive species around the lake.

8) Mining Issues:

Many of you were kind enough to participate in the survey organized by the Ministere d’Energie et Ressources Naturelles (the “MERN”) of Quebec that was circulated to you at the beginning of May and some of you have participated in the symposia that the MERN organized in connection with Premier Legault’s plans to increase mining activities in Quebec, including in Southern Quebec. We thank those of you who did so since we believe that it is important to raise as many voices as possible as loudly as possible to try to put a stop to any efforts to reintroduce mining in or anywhere near Ivry-sur-le-lac.

In addition to those surveys and symposium, the AALM has filed its own memorandum with the MERN opposing mining activities in our region demanding changes to the laws governing mining in Quebec to allow Regional Municipalities to control mining activities in their territories. We have also joined forces with Conservation Manitou and another 125 lake organizations in Quebec under the leadership of the Coalition QLAIM. QLAIM is taking an active role in lobbying the Quebec government on this issue. Additional steps are also being taken by the MRC des Laurentides and by Conservation Manitou to block mining activities in our region.

9) Charitable Gifts:

It has been the policy of the AALM for some years to make charitable donations to organizations in our area which provide benefits to our members that are consistent with our Mission. In 2022-2023 we gave $2500 each to La Foundation de l’Hopital de Ste. Agathe and to Conservation Manitou, both of which have been recipients of AALM donations in the past and both of which provide real benefits to our community.

We also want to encourage anyone who is interested in joining one of our committees to get in touch with the Committee chair to let them know. The AALM is a 100% volunteer support non-profit organization and its successes are dependent on the willingness of its members to contribute to the enjoyment of life in Ivry for all its residents.

And if you haven’t done so already, please renew your AALM membership by clicking the button below.

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The 2023 AALM Events Calendar

Calling all Ivry scientists. The AALM Environment Committee is asking all Ivry residents to be on the lookout for invasive species. Click the news article below to see how you can help!

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Jun 17, 2023

Ivry watch for invasive species

Jun 17, 2023

Calling all Ivry scientists! The AALM Environment Committee is asking all Ivry residents to be on the lookout for these invasive species.

The 2023 AALM Events Calendar

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