Canada and Ontario launch public consultations on draft action plan to reduce harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Logo: Government of Ontario (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada)

Proposed action plan to achieve phosphorus reductions in Lake Erie from Canadian sources

OTTAWA, March 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario have released a draft action plan that will help to reduce high amounts of phosphorus and the growth of toxic and nuisance algae in Lake Erie.

Reducing the amount of phosphorus entering Lake Erie is the best way to minimize algal blooms, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. While phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant and animal life, scientists have identified that excess phosphorus is the cause of algal blooms in the lake.

Phosphorus enters Lake Erie from many sources, including runoff from urban centres, agricultural lands, sewage treatment plants, airborne particles, septic systems, and industrial discharges. This draft plan identifies actions that can be taken by the governments of Canada and of Ontario, municipalities, conservation authorities, Indigenous communities, and partners in key sectors, such as agriculture and industry, to achieve the goal of reducing phosphorus in Lake Erie by 40 percent.

Stakeholders and community members are encouraged to comment on the draft action plan before May 9, 2017. This input will inform the final action plan for the Canadian side of Lake Erie.

Quotes

"Water connects us all. We intrinsically understand its importance, and we all have a reason to be invested in its protection. I encourage Canadians, especially those within the Great Lakes Basin, to participate in these consultations that will inform our collaborative actions to protect Lake Erie."
– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

"The Great Lakes support a rich array of ecosystems and are an important part of Ontario's strength and success. Part of Ontario's Great Lakes Protection Act, this proposed action plan to reduce phosphorus levels in Lake Erie is based on collaboration with our partners to ensure that Lake Erie remains drinkable, swimmable, and fishable."
– Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

• The Great Lakes are the largest freshwater system on Earth—holding 20 percent of the planet's fresh water.
• Ontario's Great Lakes Basin is home to 40 percent of Canada's economic activity and 95 percent of Ontario's agricultural land.
• Most Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes Basin.
• Lake Erie is the shallowest and most biologically productive of the Great Lakes, and it receives high loads of phosphorus, making it highly sensitive to harmful blue-green and nuisance algal blooms.
• Algal blooms impact the enjoyment of the lake for millions of people in the region.
• Through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, Canada and the United States are committed to finalizing domestic action plans for Lake Erie, by February 2018.
• The draft action plan supports Ontario's Great Lakes Protection Act.

Associated links

Let's Talk Phosphorus Reduction in Lake Erie

Ontario's Environmental Registry

Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement: Nutrients

Great Lakes Protection Act

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada's Facebook page

Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Facebook page

Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Twitter page

Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's Instagram page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free); Ruth Gebremedhin, Press Secretary, Office of the Ontario Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 416-325-5281, [email protected]; Gary Wheeler, Media Relations, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, 416-314-6666, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.ec.gc.ca