In a recent letter to the Conservative government, hundreds of Canadian aquatic scientists called on the federal government to be transparent in its plans for Canada’s world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area (ELA).

The scientists called on the government to give Canadians real answers about what they are doing with this internationally-recognized research facility on which the future health of our environment, fisheries and freshwater aquatic ecosystems depend.

It is research at the ELA that produced concrete federal legislative and international treaty initiatives to protect freshwater, led to a ban on phosphates in detergents in the context of the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and laid the groundwork for the Canada-U.S. Acid Rain Treaty.

Its current research on the impact of climate change on water and on the potential human health effects of pharmaceuticals in wastewater has the potential to have similarly significant impacts on the lives of Canadians if allowed to proceed in an independent and rigourous manner.

Closing the ELA is part of the Conservatives’ scorched earth approach to protecting our environment.

My colleagues, Liberal environment critic Dr. Kirsty Duncan, Liberal water critic Francis Scarpaleggia, and the rest of the Liberal caucus, have fought to reverse this government’s disastrous and reckless decision.

Together we will continue to stand up for this great facility, for the invaluable research and public policy it produces, and for the health and welfare of Canadian families and our environment.

Lawrence MacAulay
Cardigan MP and fisheries
and oceans critic
Liberal Party of Canada