Canada and Ontario seek public input on Great Lakes protections

​#Canada-U.S.GreatLakesWaterQualityAgreement; #CatherineMcKenna; 

Ottawa, Jul 5 (Canadian-Media): To address threats to water quality and ecosystem health a new Canada-Ontario Agreement  was released today  to coordinate actions to protect water quality in our Great Lakes and implement the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, media reports said. 

“Taking care of our Great Lakes will also help protect  more than 3,500 different species that live in the basin. I encourage everyone to participate in this consultation to continue building resilient communities and protecting the environment.” said Catherine McKenna, Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

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Catherine McKenna. Image credit: Official

​The Great Lakes play a vital role in the physical, social and economic life of both Canada and Ontario to provide drinking water to 1 in 4 Canadians, are home to more than 10 million Canadians and support almost 40 percent of Canada's economic activity.

Canada and Ontario are also seeking input from the public between July 5 and September 4 and a final agreement is expected in 2020.

Key challenges facing the Great Lakes are tackling harmful and nuisance algae in Lake Erie, cleaning up the Great Lakes Areas of Concern including improving wastewater and stormwater management and reducing pollution, issues of invasive species and climate resilience.

The new draft Agreement will also take the next steps to enhance engagement with First Nations and Métis communities and will include a new focus on fish consumption.