Douro-Dummer council discussed the possibility of participating in the Ontario Invasive Phragmites Action Program at the Tuesday evening council meeting.
Council received a delegation from the Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) led by Thom Unrau at the November 18, 2025 regular council meeting. The purpose of the delegation was to inform council about the program and how it relates to the invasive species in Douro-Dummer and the surrounding area.
CAO Todd Davis tabled a report that summarized the material presented in the KLT delegation. The summary is as follows:
• It shared details about the Ontario Invasive Phragmites Action Program
o Funded through an $11M investment by the government of Ontario.
o The program promotes control efforts of phragmites, working to reduce its ecological and social effects, while creating local jobs.
• Introduced the Kawarthas Phragmites Action working group
o KLT has convened the Phragmites Management Area working group for Peterborough County and City of Kawartha Lakes.
• Communicated the results of phase one Phragmites monitoring in Douro-Dummer Township.
o This plant has been monitored at 103 different locations in the Township and is estimated to cover 43,132m2
• Identified an opportunity for control of priority populations in Douro-Dummer Township
• Based on current identified locations and coverage the estimated cost of on-going management could be as high as $12,000 annually.
o By participating with the Phragmites Management Area working group, the costs are significantly reduced.
• Invited Douro-Dummer to participate in a funding application for 2026 Phragmites control, and staff participation in the Kawartha Phragmites working group.
o The working group has extended an opportunity for staff participation and asked for a contribution of up to $5,000 to assist with the spraying program and annual monitoring.
Council did not agree to participate in the 2026 program, but rather passed a motion at the November 18 meeting asking staff to report back to council regarding the Ontario Invasive Phragmites Action Program and the possibility of future participation.
Douro-Dummer resident Peter Leahy led a delegation prior to council’s discussion warning of the dangers of participating in this program.
Leahy started his presentation by telling council “I am confident that you think this is a nothing issue, I have to tell you it’s not.”
Leahy described KLT as a non profit organization that are experts in grant writing and believes that the more municipalities they have on board, the more grants they can obtain.
Leahy said that spraying is a bad idea, but spraying in wet areas will spread the chemicals throughout township wells.
Leahy told council “I’m from Douro-Dummer, but I’m not stupid. This will not work.”
Leahy concluded by addressing mayor Watson and Deputy mayor Harold Nelson and pleading for them to stand up for Douo-Dummer residents and not let the County spray on Douro-Dummer property either.
Leahy pointed to the county meeting in October where funds were directed towards Phragmites.
Watson assured Leahy that the County has yet to decide and funds allocated to this project were strictly for mapping and help access resources needed to help develop a management plan.
Davis explained to council that he met with the managers of Public Works and Parks and Recreation to discuss their interpretation of issues that might arise from phragmites.
Both managers said that there was minimal to no impact of phragmites on municipal property.
It was noted that there is an issue with quick growth at some intersections, however there is presently no recommended action plan.
Davis said that there is no will and no budget to join the Ontario Invasive Phragmites Action Program and recommends that the township not participate.
Councillor Shelagh Landsmann moved the recommendation that they not participate with a comment.
Landsmann said “I think there’s way more to this than we know at this time and I think we would be better off to find out what more we can.”
Councillor Tom Watt seconded the motion, with a caveat. He requested that when they respond to KLT they state they do not want to participate in the program, but furthermore they don’t want any municipal property sprayed even if bordering a private property that is spraying.
Landsmann agreed to the addition and the motion passed.
Deputy mayor Nelson wanted another addition asking that township management educate themselves and their staff in best practices for cutting and removal of phragmites on township lands including intersections.
It was suggested that this should be a seperate motion which was agreed to and passed.
