19°c Overcast
10°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Freshwater scientist urges Ottawa not to shut down ELA
Experimental Lakes Area (MIKE APORIUS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ) Photo Store
A leading freshwater scientist is urging the federal government to continue research in the Experimental Lakes Area, saying it helps avoid policy based on " a whim."
University of Alberta's ecology chair David Schindler is in Winnipeg today to add his voice to a coalition urging the federal government not to shut down the ELA. He said the ELA helped pave the way on research for how Lake Winnipeg could be restored and led to policies which focus on phosphorus removal.
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 for $1 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.
The ELA research on acid rain led to increased restrictions on sulfur emissions in Canada, the U.S.and Europe, Schindler said.
Schindler said the ELA has always researched ahead so sound policy can be based on sound science, and not a whim.
He said the federal government has responded to pleas to not shut down the ELA with "thundering silence." Schindler said he doesn't care whether the research is publicy or privately funded, as long as it continues.
"Science underpins so many of our decisions," he said.
History
Updated on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 9:25 PM CST: add photo
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Most Popular Local
- City's first urban reserve born
- Woman drove into river on purpose
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- City set to seize derelict hotel
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Jockey club launches $350-M civil suit against province
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Witness changes story of killing
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Police identify slaying victims
- Apple trick on Ellen falls short for city woman
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- The end of the credit card?
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- A child-custody catastrophe
- Charleswood deaths being investigated as domestic incident
- Man charged, victims identified in double homicide
- Co-worker 'sick' today? Maybe it's the $17M flu
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- '2 minutes after I read the winning numbers, I retired': Winnipeg lotto winner
- Parents, community relieved and elated as missing boy found safe
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- City's first urban reserve born
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Jockey club launches $350-M civil suit against province
- Crash victims were good friends, free spirits
- City set to seize derelict hotel
- Accused fraudster fights extradition to U.S.
- Baby steps toward empathy
- One year later... still no verdict
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Fishing for fashion
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Core grocer a challenge: expert
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- City's first urban reserve born
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- North End proud
- Power restored to Linden Woods after goose collides with lines
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- Mental-health patients get own ER
- A child-custody catastrophe
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Steen invests $1M in family entertainment centre
- Earls on Main going, but new one coming
- Province introduces changes to rules governing landlords, renters
- Crushing blow for amateur sport
- Boost same-sex curricula: union
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.