Wednesday, June 06, 2012
Ministry of the Environment
Restoring Great Lakes to Protect Ontario's Future
Ontario is introducing legislation today that, if passed, would ensure cleaner Great Lakes that are protected for the future.
Ontarians rely on the Great Lakes for drinking water, food, electricity, transportation, and recreation. Studies show that population growth, and emerging issues including new chemicals of concern, invasive species, pollution and climate change, are stressing the Great Lakes.
The proposed Great Lakes Protection Act would, if passed, provide new tools to restore and protect the lakes. The act would create a council to identify priorities and recommend actions to address them. The province would also provide grants to help community groups undertake improvement projects to protect their part of the Great Lakes.
Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes is part of the McGuinty government's plan to enhance quality of life for Ontario families and ensure a strong, green economy for future generations.
Quotes:
"Ontario relies on the Great Lakes for our strength and success. The McGuinty government is acting today to protect our lakes and restore them to environmental health."
- Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment
Quick Facts:
- More than 80 per cent of Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes.
- Ontario's commercial Great Lakes fisheries are worth $200 million annually.
- Ontario's Great Lakes basin contains 40 per cent of the country's economic activity.
- The Great Lakes hold one fifth of the world's surface fresh water resources.
- About 98 per cent of Ontarians live within the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence basin.
Learn More:
Contacts:
Contact information for the general public:
416-325-4000
1-800-565-4923
Kate Jordan
Communications Branch
416-314-6666
Kate.Jordan@ontario.ca
Lyndsay Miller
Minister’s Office
416-314-6739
Lyndsay.Miller@ontario.ca
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