27/05/2005 - The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment
and the Honourable Reg Alcock, President
of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible
for the Canadian Wheat Board today announced
a $1.1 million per year Government of Canada
investment in the future of the Lake Winnipeg
watershed.
Funds will be used to enhance the scope
of water quality monitoring efforts on the
Red River and the south basin of Lake Winnipeg
and provide an ongoing assessment of the
biological health of these systems.
"Having basic information on the state
of our water resources and on those factors
which threaten their sustainability, is
at the core of the Government of Canada's
environmental responsibilities," said
Minister Dion. "Lake Winnipeg is Canada's
sixth Great Lake and its watershed supplies
drinking water for thousands, supports a
valuable commercial fishery and provides
subsistence for Aboriginal communities.
Today's investment will lead to more comprehensive
information for future actions to restore
and protect the watershed and therefore
Canadians' health and prosperity."
"The Government of Canada is committed
to protecting Lake Winnipeg through both
scientific and watershed management approaches,"
said Minister Alcock. "This important
investment complements the recent federal
and provincial announcements on the transfer
of the research vessel Namao to the Lake
Winnipeg Research Consortium, and the establishment
of the Lake Winnipeg Implementation Committee.
Together these provide a platform for governments
and concerned parties to develop a long
term strategy for the restoration and protection
of Lake Winnipeg.
The Government of Canada has made substantial
investments in water and water infrastructure
projects across the country in recent years.
Since 2000, the government has partnered
with other levels of government in projects
worth approximately $1.2 billion.
