BARRIE, Ontario, February
16, 2008 - Canada's Environment Minister
John Baird, and the Honourable Peter Van
Loan, Leader of the Government
in the House of Commons and Minister for
Democratic Reform, today announced new,
long-term funding to preserve and protect
the environment of Lake Simcoe. The additional
$18 million announced builds on the $12
million that was announced last year by
the federal government and brings the Government's
total investment to $30 million over five
years.
"Canadians want
to know what this government is doing about
improving water quality and I want to tell
them we are moving quickly to restore the
health of our lakes and waterways as we
promised we would," said Minister Baird.
"Today's announcement builds upon the
significant financial commitment we have
already made to cleaning up Lake Simcoe,
as well as our announcement that we will
be restricting the level of phosphates in
laundry and dishwasher detergent across
Canada. This will have a positive impact
on reducing the growth of blue-green algae,
an issue I know the residents around Lake
Simcoe have faced."
This investment to clean
up Lake Simcoe is part of our Government's
Action Plan for Clean Water, which includes
projects like the Health of the Oceans initiative
to protect Canada's three oceans, the clean
up of Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour and
action on pollution going into Lake Winnipeg.
"Our commitment
of $30 million to Lake Simcoe will get the
job done and the work starts this year,"
said Minister Van Loan. "Canadians
expect action from government to deal with
the pressing environmental issues of today,
and we are taking action now for all the
people who make their home around Lake Simcoe."
Other measures to protect
water quality include regulations later
this year to reduce pollutants in sewage
and improving raw sewage treatment in municipalities
and First Nation communities across Canada.These
new rules, when combined with regulations
to reduce phosphate and with the $8 billion
allocated in the Building Canada plan to
improve sewage treatment, will enhance water
quality and protect the health of Canadians.
Lake Simcoeprovides
drinking water to eight municipalities and
is known for its recreation industry, which
generates more than $200 million in annual
revenues. The region supports farming and
recreational fishing and has recently undergone
significant increased urban development.
A backgrounder on the
Lake Simcoe clean-up initiative is available
at:
$30 Million for Cleaning up Lake Simcoe
- Part of the Government of Canada's Action
Plan for Clean Water
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government Takes Action
to Ensure Clean Water for Canadians: Phosphates
in Detergents to be Heavily Restricted
Montreal, Quebec, February
15, 2008 -The Honourable John Baird, Minister
of the Environment and the Honourable Michael
M. Fortier, Minister of Public Works and
Government Services, today announced action
on restricting the level of phosphates in
laundry and dishwasher detergent. This will
have a positive impact on reducing the growth
of blue-green algae in our rivers, lakes
and streams.
"Last summer, Canadians
in many parts of the country saw an increase
in the growth of blue-green algae, restricting
their ability to enjoy many summer holiday
locations," said Minister Baird. "It's
time to act. Our Government is taking action
and will be limiting phosphates in laundry
and dishwasher detergents. Along with our
plans to ban the dumping of raw sewage and
improve sewage treatment across Canada,
today's action should have a positive effect
on the environment."
The Government is proposing
to amend regulations in order to reduce
the amount of phosphates added to laundry
detergents and, for the first time in Canadian
history, limit the amount found in dishwasher
detergents and general purpose cleaners.
By 2010, the Government
will set a limit of 0.5% by weight for laundry
and dishwasher detergents and, where analysis
indicates, in general purpose cleaners.
"Canadians have
spoken and this Government has listened.
Today, we are taking real action to protect
our rivers, lakes and streams from blue-green
algae," said Minister Fortier. "I
know this has been an important issue in
the province of Quebec and today's action
is another step towards improving our waterways
for the enjoyment of all."
Phosphates are used
in certain detergents and cleaning products
to soften water, reduce spotting and rusting,
hold dirt, and increase performance. However,
too many phosphates in our water can lead
to an over production of blue-green algae.
Though blue-green algae are naturally-occurring,
in large quantities they can emit a harmful
level of toxins. This can lead to poor water
quality and force the closure of beaches
in warm temperatures.
"I also want to
acknowledge the work of provinces like Quebec
and Manitoba in regulating phosphates,"
said Minister Baird. "I know that Premiers
Charest and Doer, along with Ministers Beauchamp
and Melnick are facing serious blue-green
algae challenges in their respective provinces,
and I believe today's action by the federal
government demonstrates that when we work
together, we can achieve great things."
The action the Government
is taking today by proposing these regulations
complement the proposed tough new national
standards that will be set for sewage dumping
and sewage treatment. These actions are
key to improving water quality and protecting
the health of Canadians.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
