TORONTO, Ontario, August
16, 2007 –The Honourable John Baird, Minister
of the Environment and the Honourable Laurel
Broten, Ontario’s Minister of the Environment
today announced the official signing of
the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.
“The Great Lakes are one of the most important
freshwater resources in the world and it’s
an essential part of the lives of millions
of Canadians who rely on them for drinking
water, recreation and their livelihoods,”
said Minister Baird. “Our government is
taking another tangible step in support
of a healthier environment with this important
commitment to restore and protect the Great
Lakes.”
The Canada-Ontario Agreement focuses on
cleaning up 15 severely degraded ecosystems
in the Great Lakes (Areas of Concern), reducing
harmful pollutants, improving water quality,
conserving fish and wildlife species and
habitats, lessening the threat of aquatic
invasive species and improving land management
practices within the Great Lakes Basin.
“The Canada-Ontario Agreement is an important
part of Ontario’s strategy to ensure that
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem continues
to provide clean, safe water for millions
of people,” said Ontario Environment Minister
Laurel Broten. “This agreement allows us
to work with the Government of Canada and
the Great Lakes community to help protect
this priceless resource.”
The Canada-Ontario Agreement also contains
new areas of cooperation such as protecting
sources of drinking water, understanding
the impacts of climate change and encouraging
sustainable use of land, water and other
natural resources. The Canada Ontario Agreement
ensures that scientific information is available
to support remediation and protection efforts
and to measure their success for the benefit
of the growing number of Canadians dependent
upon the lakes.
It will contribute to meeting Canada’s
obligations under the Canada-U.S. Great
Lakes Water Quality Agreement which is currently
under review by both countries. A new Agreement
beyond 2010 would consider the recommendations
and results of that review.
“I am pleased this agreement supports our
ongoing work with our many partners to protect
and restore the health of the Great Lakes,”
said Ontario Natural Resources Minister
David Ramsay. “It will strengthen our efforts
to meet present and future challenges to
the integrity of the Great Lakes, their
watersheds and their ecosystems.”
With the Canada Ontario Agreement now in
place, the governments of Canada and Ontario
are initiating a broader dialogue to develop
a common direction and actions to achieve
Great Lakes sustainability beyond 2010.
This will begin with the launch of a forum
in the fall of 2007. We commit to engaging
the Great Lakes community, including municipalities,
Aboriginal communities, non-governmental
organizations, other Great Lakes experts
and the interested public.
The Agreement may be viewed on-line at:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry/ and http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/publications/6263e.pdf
Related Document:
The Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting
the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem -- A Renewed
Commitment to The Great Lakes [backgrounder,
2007-08-16]
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Anne O’Hagan
