News Release

Canada and Ontario Announce Agreement to Improve and Protect The Great Lakes 

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]

For more information, please contact:

Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441

Anne O’Hagan
Office of the Ontario Minister of the
Environment
(416) 325-5809

Media Relations
Environment Canada
(819) 934-8008
1-888-908-8008

Mark Rabbior
Ontario Ministry of the Environment
416-314-6666