(Toronto, Ontario): The Green Party of Ontario has launched a campaign calling on the Ontario government to take over the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) from the federal government. In less than a day over 700 people have written emails to the Finance Minister Sousa demanding the ELA be included in the upcoming Ontario budget.
Federal Bill C-38 terminates federal funding for the ELA on March 31, 2013. “The Prime Minister is poised to throw away 45 years of world-renowned freshwater research with his anti-science agenda,” says Green Party leader Mike Schreiner.
“The Experimental Lakes Area is vital to keeping our water clean, sovwe’re calling on Premier Wynne and Minister Sousa to save this priceless resource for future generations.”
Ontario already owns the 58 lakes around Kenora that make up the Experimental Lakes Area. Since 1968, the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans has managed the operations of the ELA. The cost to maintain the ELA as avworld-renowned laboratory is only $2 million per year.
The ELA has played an essential role in explaining algal blooms and acid rain. ELA scientists continue to publish in scientific journals with the ELA being recognized as the most important freshwater research facility in the world.
“No one can predict the next threat to our water,” says Schreiner. “But we can predict the ELA will be vital to the scientists working on tomorrow’s challenges. The Prime Minister refuses to protect Canada’s water, so we’re demanding Premier Wynne step in before it’s too late.”
The Green Party’s ELA petition can be found here:
http://press.gpo.ca/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=82&qid=125123 For the Silo, Becky Smit
UPDATE- May1 2013 The Ontario Liberal Party has committed to ‘saving’ the Experimental Lakes through funding and other support platforms.
May 8, 2013 PREMIER NEEDS TO DELIVER ON PROMISE TO SAVE THE EXPERIMENTAL LAKES Toronto – The Green Party of Ontario is calling on Premier Wynne to back up her promise to save the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). There was no mention of the ELA in the provincial budget.
“Talk is cheap,” says GPO leader Mike Schreiner. “The Premier’s announcement to save the ELA is meaningless if there is no funding. We need action on clean water, not hot air.”
Two weeks ago, Premier Wynne announced that the province would save the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). Keeping the Experimental Lakes Area open is an important victory for clean water, science and our environment.
Thousands of Canadians put pressure on the Ontario government to save the ELA after the Harper government abandoned its responsibility to support clean water research.
“It’s time for the Premier to follow through on her commitment,
and allocate funding to keep the ELA operational,” says Schreiner.
Becky Smit