Nicholson,
Allison and Dykstra deliver for Niagara
Region
FORT ERIE, Ontario, April 23, 2008 - The
Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., Member
of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister
of Justice and Attorney General of Canada,
Dean Allison, Member of Parliament for Niagara
West-Glanbrook, and Rick Dykstra, Member
of Parliament for St. Catharines announced
today that the Government of Canada is investing
up to $2.9 million to clean up the Niagara
River. The announcement is further evidence
of the action the Government is taking to
clean up the Great Lakes.
"Our Government
understands that Canadians want to see real
progress in restoring the Great Lakes,"
said Minister Nicholson. "For too long,
environmental hot spots in the Great Lakes
like the Niagara River have been waiting
for action. That day of action is here.
The clean up of the Niagara River is essential
to the economy, the health and the well-being
of residents of the Niagara area, and is
further proof that cleaning up Canadian
waters is a priority for this Government."
Consultations with the
local communities are already underway to
explore clean-up options for the Niagara
River. This could include excavation, infilling,
restoration of wetlands or monitored natural
recovery. The clean-up project will begin
in 2009 and be completed by 2012.
"By taking action
to clean up the contaminated sediment, our
Government is taking a major step forward
towards addressing local water quality issues,"
said Mr. Allison. "Together with our
project stakeholders, we are working toward
ensuring a healthy and sustainable future
for the nearly half-million citizens in
the Niagara Region who rely on the river
for drinking water."
This major investment
to clean up the Niagara River is part of
the Government of Canada's Action Plan for
Clean Water. Recently, the Government has
also taken action to protect water quality,
including tough new regulations against
the dumping of raw sewage and improving
raw sewage treatment in municipalities and
first nation communities across Canada.
These measures will help filter out substances
like phosphates, which can lead to excessive
blue-green algae production.
"Our Government
is committed to clean water and to delivering
results for Canadians," added Mr. Dykstra.
"The work being taken to improve the
Niagara River will produce not only a cleaner
environment, but will also increase recreational
values of the local fishery."
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
