In The News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Georgian Bay, Ontario has been nominated as one of the Seven Wonders of Canada.

CBC Radio, along with The National, (Canada's national broadcasting networks), are looking for the top seven wonders in Canada and are asking for nominations.

Ron Taylor, publisher of the Georgian Bay Eco Museum , nominated Georgian Bay as one of the Seven Wonders of Canada.

Taylor said, "Georgian Bay is truly a unique Canadian fresh water paradise and is often designated as the Sixth Great Lake. It is a beautiful body of water which is 100% Canadian, when compared to all of the bodies of water in the Great Lakes. Not only does it have the world's largest freshwater island, (Manitoulin Island) it has the world's longest freshwater beach (Wasaga Beach) and it has Canada's only Fresh Water Eco Museum (the Georgian Bay Eco Museum). It is the most pristine of all of the Great Lakes and supports exceptional biodiversity and important wetland habitat. There are two United Nations designated Biosphere Reserves, the Bruce Peninsula and the 30,000 Islands. The 15,000 sq. km. of Georgian Bay is home to three National Parks and provides an entrance to the Trent Severn National Historic waterway."

Additional Georgian Bay features include the historic French River canoe route taken by Samuel de Champlain in 1615, the historic First Nations village in Midland, the Huronia Museum and Ouendat Village pre-dating European visits, the location of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, Canada's earliest inland settlement, and Martyrs' Shrine. Numerous Ontario Provincial Parks and protected areas are infused around Georgian Bay.

Taylor adds, "This nomination recognizes Georgian Bay as an important icon, and will contribute to the preservation of this pristine environment and protect one of Canada's most significant water resources."

Taylor encourages Georgian Bay lovers to vote for Georgian Bay, or at least get involved and vote for their local favorite wonder by visiting CBC website http://www.cbc.ca/soundslikecanada/index.html

If you don't have a computer you can call 1-866-722-2752 and register your vote and why you think Georgian Bay should be in the top seven.

Voting and the contest end next Monday, May 7.

At that point judges will begin reducing the list and opening up a voting process to the General Public.