"The Great Lakes are a defining feature of Canada's landscape, its history, and its future," said Fe de Leon, researcher at the Canadian Environmental Law Association. "All Party leaders need to step up to the plate to protect the Great Lakes from toxic pollution. Great Lakes actions to date have been mediocre and do very little to protect and prevent toxic pollution. The status quo will mean that our Great Lakes water, fish, birds, water and residents will feel the impacts of pollution for many years to come."
The Pledge for a Toxics-Free Great Lakes establishes the first steps for cleaning up the Great Lakes. The heartland of Canada's manufacturing and agricultural sectors, the Great Lakes region has had to deal with an onslaught of pollution, causing serious harm to this fragile ecosystem.
"Successive federal governments have closed their eyes to the toxic legacy that is polluting these waters, stifling communities, and devastating plant and animal habitat." said John Jackson, Director of Clean Production and Toxics at Great Lakes United. "This pledge is about refocusing attention on the Great Lakes."
Specifically, the pledge asks leaders to:
-- Support the vision of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, signed by Canada and the United States, to work toward the elimination of persistent toxic substances in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.
Support the call for zero discharge of persistent toxic chemicals and other toxic substances in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem by:
- Establishing a phase out and elimination strategy for toxic substances.
- Applying a reverse onus that will require chemical users, manufacturers, importers and sellers to demonstrate safety of chemicals before use. o Assessing and implementing safe alternatives.
- Applying the precautionary principle.
By 2012, complete all actions need for delisting 10 Areas of Concern, and all actions completed for the remaining Areas of Concerns in Canada by 2015.
Create a Great Lakes Clean Water Infrastructure fund to upgrade and 'green' municipal wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Past progress in addressing problems, like phosphorous, PCBs, and mercury, came because Canada and the United States worked together to find solutions. The driving force was the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a pact between the two countries to maintain the health of the waters.
"The Great Lakes are shared between eight states, a province and two countries. Saving them is not a partisan issue, but it requires the attention of all governments and a commitment from all leaders," said Elaine MacDonald, Senior Scientist with Ecojustice.
"The reality is, the longer we wait, the worse the problem gets, and the more expensive become the solutions."
To read the pledge and background information, or for updates on who has signed, visit www.glu.org.
Contacts:
Fe de Leon
Researcher
Canadian Environmental Law Association
416-960-2284 x223
John Jackson
Director of Clean Production and Toxics
Great Lakes United
519-744-7503
519-591-7503 (cell)
Elaine MacDonald
Senior Scientist
Ecojustice (formerly Sierra Legal)
416-368-7533 x27
416-564-4400 (cell)
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Brent Gibson
Director, Communications
Great Lakes United
613-867-9861
bgibson@glu.org