Davidson
and Baird Deliver for Sarnia-Lambton - SARNIA,
Ontario, February 23, 2008 - Canada's Environment
Minister, John Baird, and Pat Davidson,
Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton,
announced today that the Government of Canada
is investing up to $3.3 million to clean
up the St. Clair River.
"Our Government
recognizes the need for action to protect
and improve the health of Canada's freshwater,"
said Minister Baird. "Cleaning up contaminated
sediment from waterways such as the St.
Clair River is good for our communities,
our families, and our environment.”
Together with the Province
of Ontario and in consultation with local
stakeholders, the Government of Canada will
develop a sediment management strategy for
the site. Remedial options could include
capping and/or dredging, disposal of contaminated
sediment and long-term monitoring. The clean-up
project will begin in 2010 and be completed
by 2012.
"Cleaning up the
St. Clair River will benefit not only ecosystem
health but also the economies of local communities,
including Sarnia and Walpole Island,"
said Mrs. Davidson. "Together with
our local stakeholders, we are working to
ensure a healthy and sustainable future
for the nearly 170,000 citizens in this
area, most of whom rely on the river for
drinking water."
This major investment
to clean up the St. Clair River is part
of the Government of Canada's Action Plan
for Clean Water. Recently, the Government
has also taken action to protect water quality,
including tough new regulations against
the dumping of raw sewage and improving
raw sewage treatment in municipalities and
First Nation communities across Canada.
These measures will help filter out substances
like phosphates, which can lead to excessive
blue-green algae production.
A backgrounder on the
St. Clair River clean-up project is available
online.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Government Takes Action
to Ensure Clean Water for Canadians: Phosphates
in Detergents to be Heavily Restricted
Montreal, Quebec, February
15, 2008 -The Honourable John Baird, Minister
of the Environment and the Honourable Michael
M. Fortier, Minister of Public Works and
Government Services, today announced action
on restricting the level of phosphates in
laundry and dishwasher detergent. This will
have a positive impact on reducing the growth
of blue-green algae in our rivers, lakes
and streams.
"Last summer, Canadians
in many parts of the country saw an increase
in the growth of blue-green algae, restricting
their ability to enjoy many summer holiday
locations," said Minister Baird. "It's
time to act. Our Government is taking action
and will be limiting phosphates in laundry
and dishwasher detergents. Along with our
plans to ban the dumping of raw sewage and
improve sewage treatment across Canada,
today's action should have a positive effect
on the environment."
The Government is proposing
to amend regulations in order to reduce
the amount of phosphates added to laundry
detergents and, for the first time in Canadian
history, limit the amount found in dishwasher
detergents and general purpose cleaners.
By 2010, the Government
will set a limit of 0.5% by weight for laundry
and dishwasher detergents and, where analysis
indicates, in general purpose cleaners.
"Canadians have
spoken and this Government has listened.
Today, we are taking real action to protect
our rivers, lakes and streams from blue-green
algae," said Minister Fortier. "I
know this has been an important issue in
the province of Quebec and today's action
is another step towards improving our waterways
for the enjoyment of all."
Phosphates are used
in certain detergents and cleaning products
to soften water, reduce spotting and rusting,
hold dirt, and increase performance. However,
too many phosphates in our water can lead
to an over production of blue-green algae.
Though blue-green algae are naturally-occurring,
in large quantities they can emit a harmful
level of toxins. This can lead to poor water
quality and force the closure of beaches
in warm temperatures.
"I also want to
acknowledge the work of provinces like Quebec
and Manitoba in regulating phosphates,"
said Minister Baird. "I know that Premiers
Charest and Doer, along with Ministers Beauchamp
and Melnick are facing serious blue-green
algae challenges in their respective provinces,
and I believe today's action by the federal
government demonstrates that when we work
together, we can achieve great things."
The action the Government
is taking today by proposing these regulations
complement the proposed tough new national
standards that will be set for sewage dumping
and sewage treatment. These actions are
key to improving water quality and protecting
the health of Canadians.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
