Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
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| Lake Ontario Waterkeeper | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2001 |
| Type | Environmental justice advocacy |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Official languages | English |
| President | Mark Mattson |
| Key people | Krystyn Tully |
| Budget | C$263,712 (2005) |
| Website | http://waterkeeper.ca |
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is a Toronto-based environmental justice advocacy group founded in 2001, with Lake Ontario, the Great Lakes Basin, and allied waterways at heart. It is a licensed member of the New York-based Waterkeeper Alliance, and a registered Canadian charity. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is led by President Mark Mattson, an environmental lawyer, and Vice President Krystyn Tully.[1][2][3]
Contents |
[edit] Actions and initiatives
In Summer of 2001 LOW triggered a $250 Million Federal Government remediation plan at Port Granby near Port Hope, Ontario. The dump, was established by Eldorado Nuclear Limited (and now managed by Cameco Corp.).[4] In 2005 LOW campaigned the City of Kingston, Ontario to disclose timely data about repeated sewage discharges into Lake Ontario.[5] In 2006 LOW produced "Heart of A Lake" concert tour to several cities in Ontario, Canada blending activism with art.[6] Starting in 2006 LOW started a campaign opposing the burning of tires by Lafarge operations in Bath, Ontario.[7]
In 2007 LOW compelled the City of Toronto to disclose specific reasons why beaches are closed, and used the legal system to force the City to take responsibility.[1] Citing a "little-known provincial environmental guideline called F-5 that says municipalities must ensure that beaches are clean enough for swimming 95 per cent of the time." This builds on a 2006 LOW report "Investigating Municipal Beaches: Lessons from Bluffer's Park" which cited some beaches beaches were closed to swimming 42 per cent of the time.[8]
[edit] Notable supporters
- The Tragically Hip and particularly their frontman Gord Downie[9][10]
- Sarah Harmer, folk musician[10][11]
- David Suzuki, Canadian environmentalist and broadcaster. [10]
- Bruce Cockburn, musician [10]
- Chris Brown, musician[11]
- The Law Foundation of Ontario [12][13]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Keenan, Edward; Prittie, Jennifier. "Political pollution", Eye Weekly, May 22, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
- ^ "From Chicago to Toronto, cities spilling waste into Great Lakes", Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 26, 2004.
- ^ "Ships sweep toxic trash into our lake – and feds just let it happen", Now Toronto, May 19, 2005.
- ^ McCutcheon, Duff (October 1, 2007). "Mark Mattson, Lake Ontario Keeper". Canadian Yachting,26-27: 26, 27. CBCA Reference database: Kerrwil Publications Limited, Oct 2002. ISSN 03840999. 347122521.
- ^ Kingston Whig-Standard (ON) - Final - 23/12/2005
- ^ "Gord Downie and Waterkeeper bring "Heart of A Lake" to Whitby, Port Hope, Kingston", Ottawa: Canada NewsWire, August 28, 2006, pp. 1.
- ^ "Lafarge review rolls on", Ontario: Kingston Whig-Standard, September 12, 2007.
- ^ Calling the City's Bluff: One advocate says Toronto needs to stop making excuses and start cleaning up our beaches, By Mark Medley in Eye Weekly[1]
- ^ "Stars align in Banff", Calgary Sun, January 18, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (September 25, 2007). 3 live shows raise awareness, cash for Lake Ontario Watershed: Chris Brown, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah Harmer perform this week. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
- ^ a b Sarah Harmer, Gord Downie And Others Team Up In Support Of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
- ^ "The Law Foundation of Ontario expands support to public interest organizations", Ottawa: Canada NewsWire, June 6, 2007, pp. 1.
- ^ The Law Foundation of Ontario Selects Six Public Interest Organizations for Innovative Articling Fellowships. Press Release. June 16, 2005.
