Why We Love Our Great Lakes
News releases from other organizations supporting the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act
People are saying good things about the Great Lakes
and the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act!
"Congratulations on your development of the Great Lakes Protection Act and Ontario Great Lakes Strategy. As Canada's leading conservation organization, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is fully committed to working with your Ministry, indeed all Ontarians, to ensure the successful implementation of the Act."
James Duncan, Regional Vice President, Ontario
"If the Great Lakes help you drink, play or work, this is good news. Ontario depends on the Great Lakes and through using land better and cutting pollution, we can keep this vital resource clean. Today's announcement is a big step forward."
Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director, Environmental Defence Canada
"On behalf of the mayors of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities initiative, I congratulate the Ontario Government for introducing the Great Lakes Protection Act and Strategy. This type of leadership on Great Lakes protection sets a good example and will have an impact across the entire Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region."
Mayor Brian McMullan, Chair Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
"A clean and safe Great Lakes is a priceless asset for large sections of Ontario's tourism industry, and the hundreds of thousands of people we employ. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is pleased to see the Province stepping up to protect the Great Lakes' water quality and its ecosystem."
Beth Potter, President, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
"As brewers of an iconic Canadian product whose single largest ingredient is Canada's great water, we know that water is one of our most valuable natural resources. The Great Lakes Protection Act's objective to preserve this resource for future generations is one that Canada's National Brewers is glad to support."
Jeff Newton, President, Canada's National Brewers
"Twenty percent of the world's surface fresh water is in the Great Lakes and most of it passes through Niagara. As such, we take our stewardship responsibility very seriously, and Niagara applauds the McGuinty government's new law to protect our valuable Great Lakes. "
Gary Burroughs, Niagara Regional Chair
"As a long-time advocate of an integrated, watershed approach to regenerating Lake Ontario, I am pleased to see a new initiative to protect the Great Lakes is underway. It builds on the work of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust and its community partners to establishing the 720 km Waterfront Trail from Niagara to Quebec--a critical first step toward regenerating the waterfront and providing public access."
David Crombie, Founding Chair, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
"As a lakeside community, Oakville residents realize the importance of the Great Lakes to their health, wellbeing and our town's livability. Let's celebrate the introduction of the Great Lakes Protection Act with a tap water toast in recognition of the fact that clean drinking water - Oakville gets it from Lake Ontario - is essential to our very lives."
Mayor Rob Burton, Mayor of Oakville
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Waterfront Trail, an innovative project that has been a catalyst for hundreds of projects. It has made it possible for Ontarians to enjoy their Great Lakes heritage up close. We applaud the provincial government's renewed Great Lakes protection efforts that are an important complement to our work and boost to protecting this incredible provincial asset."
Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director, Waterfront Regeneration Trust
"With the introduction of a proposed Great Lakes Protection Act, Ontario canbecome atrueleader in Great Lakes protection. The Act is vital as itprovidesnew legaltools,priority actionsalignedwithcommunity goals andis supportedby Provincial funds.Actions triggeredby the Great Lakes Protection Act,especially developing and implementing stronger safeguards for Great Lakes water quality,canbring aboutmeasurable successin dealing with 21st Century threats."
Mayor Steve Parish, Mayor of Ajax
"Science clearly indicates that the Great Lakes, and particularly shoreline wetlands, are critically important to many wildlife species in Ontario. These wetlands are also vital to the quality of water in the Great Lakes and provide abundant recreational activities for Ontarians. Ducks Unlimited Canada commends the Province on its commitment to the Great Lakes Protection Act and the development of tools we need to take practical action to protect these valuable natural resources."
Mark Gloutney Ph.D., Director of Regional Operations - Eastern Region, Manager of Provincial Operations - Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada
"The Great Lakes Protection Act is a catalyst for change, and we welcome it. Protecting beaches, cleaning up harbours, halting pollution, and improving drinking water standards will benefit businesses and individuals on both sides of the border.Ontario should be applauded for recognizing that people need Great Lakes where every person can safely go to a beach, drink from a tap, or catch a fish."
Mark Mattson, President, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
"I am very pleased to see meaningful new ways for people to get involved in protecting the Great Lakes. Being able to target protection to the priorities that communities identify for their part of the Great Lakes is a great step forward. Linking different decisions so that they all move Great Lakes protection in the same direction is a great innovation in our approach to protecting the lakes."
Theresa McClenaghan, Executive Director, Canadian Environmental Law Association
"The mission of the Water Technology Acceleration project is to grow the water sector in Ontario by helping to accelerate commercialization, strengthen export investment and inform innovative water policy. Critical to the success of our organization, and in fact to Ontario, is the protection of our greatest water source. We see the Great Lakes as an important focal point for water innovation, an opportunity to showcase our creativity and in doing so, bring jobs and investment to Ontario."
Nicholas Parker, Chair, WaterTAP
"My family has vacationed on Georgian Bay for four generations. As with many precious things, it can be all too easy to take special places like ours for granted. But for those of us who live in these water-based communities and for those with whom we share these glorious Great Lakes, there remains an important obligation. We have a responsibility to ensure that steps are taken to protect the environment, water quality, traditions and values of the places we call home first, and cottages second. I'm pleased to see the Province acting to keep the lakes clean so our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy them."
Hon. Wm. G. Davis, Premier of Ontario 1971-1985
"The Great Lakes define our province - it's people, it's economy, it's very shape. My own family has long enjoyed the beaches and waters of Lake Huron. I commend the McGuinty government for taking the initiative in preserving the lakes' environmental health."
Hon. David Peterson, Premier of Ontario 1985-1990
"The Great Lakes are a national treasure, as well as a treasure chest of resources that enrich us all. I support the Government of Ontario's latest initiative to protect the health of the Great Lakes."
Rt. Honourable John Turner PC,CC,QC
"Seen from space, the Great Lakes appear as sparkling jewels strung across the center of North America. The Great Lakes ecosystem is astonishingly rich, and provides social and economic wealth that is immeasurable and irreplaceable. I believe it is our collective duty to regenerate and protect their excellence."
Dr. Gail Krantzberg, Professor and Director, Centre for Engineering and Public Policy, McMaster University, Hamilton
"I am pleased to see the Province acting to protect the Great Lakes. The bill affords new opportunities to ensure clean nearshore waters, a significant benefit for Lake Huron communities such as Goderich. Lake Huron is the backbone of our community of Goderich. Its sparkling waters, beautiful beaches and famous sunsets are the pride of our residents and visitors alike. We need to work together to further protect our Lake Huron, and all the Great Lakes. We need to protect the Great Lakes for future generations."
Mayor Delbert (Deb) Shewfelt, Town of Goderich
"My support for new Great Lakes protection is bred in my bones. My family's relationship with the Great Lakes goes back to the 1840s when my ancestors emigrated from Scotland to Amherstburg Ontario to start new lives as ship captains on the Great Lakes. Over the years the Lakes have not only provided a livelihood for my family but also a place to go to recreate and reenergize, balancing our busy lives with time in natural surroundings."
Bob Duncanson, Executive Director, Georgian Bay Association
"I am a Metis resident of Georgian Bay. For 7 generations my family has lived on Georgian Bay, making it a way of life as commercial fishermen or enjoying an afternoon on the Bay in a boat for a shore lunch picnic. My family's relationship with the 'Bay' is one of love, respect and gratitude for having been able to make a living for our families and raise our children on or around the Great Lakes. My support for the new Great Lakes protection is not only for my present family but for the future generations."
Lisa McCron - Lifelong Great Lakes resident
"Revitalized attention to the Great Lakes by Ontario is most welcome since impacts on water quality and ecosystems are increasingly evident as the climate changes, and new, innovative protection measures are urgently needed."
James P. Bruce, O.C. and FRSC, Former Co-chair, Economic and Social Issues Working Group, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
"Earth Rangers know that the Great Lakes are the biggest, best supply of fresh water anywhere on Earth. That's why we're delighted to see Ontario taking action to protect the Great Lakes."
Peter Kendall, Executive Director, Earth Rangers
