10°c Clear
18°c Sunny
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
City to ask Ottawa not to shut down ELA
Freshwater scientist David Schindler pointed to the ELA's groundbreaking research in decrying Ottawa's decision to cut the facility's funding. (RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Related Items
Winnipeg will urge the federal government not to shut down the Experimental Lakes Area until a funding source to continue its research is found.
This morning, council's executive policy committee voted in favour of writing a letter to the federal government not to close the freshwater research program until they find a funding source. Mayor Sam Katz said everyone should be concerned about lakes and rivers, and he will write a letter in the coming days to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Environment Minister Peter Kent and Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield on behalf of the city.
"I do believe it's important to keep the research going," Katz said following EPC this morning.
The ELA is a unique program which allows scientists to conduct experiments on 58 lakes in northwestern Ontario near Kenora. Last May, Ottawa announced it will cut the $2-million operating budget for ELA as of April 2013 and either sell the program or close it. Scientists around the world have decried the cuts, claiming the ELA is the only research facility of its kind and has helped lead to public policy in critical areas including acid rain, mercury poisoning and phosphorus buildup.
River Heights Coun. John Orlikow, who proposed the city ask the federal government not to close the freshwater research program until another funding source is found, said Lake Winnipeg is under threat by increasing algae blooms and research from the ELA is needed to find a solution. He said 18 townships and municipalities, including Thunder Bay, Dryden and Kenora, have pushed for the research program to remain open.
Katz said research from the ELA has shown that removing phoshporus from wastewater is key and removing nitrogen can do more harm than good. He said he's glad the federal government is currently involved in serious negotiations with the private sector to find a third party to continue funding freshwater research.
History
Updated on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 11:58 AM CST: updates with more info
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 50 articles for this week)
Pittsburgh Penguins take Game 4 with 7-3 romp over Ottawa Senators
05/22/2013 11:31 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- New owner for lumber stores
- New downtown tower could be 42 storeys tall: developers
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Man killed after test drive a regular guy, and it cost him his life: widow
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Peeping Tom portrayed as sexual deviant in court
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Woman killed in head-on crash in southwestern Manitoba
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Susan Griffiths dies in Switzerland
- New owner for lumber stores
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Heritage Winnipeg hosting 10th annual Doors Open Winnipeg this weekend
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- Paying bills and consumer consumption hurting Canadians' ability to save: study
- Underwood leaves fans blown away
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Creative industries can fuel a city's economic engine
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Horrific crash kills minivan driver near Brandon
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Animals are animals, new ads say
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Ontario steps in to help save ELA
- Saskatchewan professor wants to test the health benefits of nose-picking
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.