Halton Region joins Ontario Mayors to call for action to protect the Great Lakes

Halton Region, as a member of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, met with the Ontario Government today to present a five point collaborative action plan at the first ever Great Lakes Summit in Toronto.

In the report by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, “At the Shoreline: A Mayors’ Collaborative Action Plan to Protect the Great Lakes”, Ontario Great Lakes Mayors called for a new collaborative approach involving all three levels of government to tackle long standing problems of explosive algae growth, beach closures, and untreated sewage and stormwater entering the lakes.

In addition to discussing the report at the summit, municipal representatives and Ontario Ministers discussed how best to collaborate to make actions and investments to protect the lakes more effective. All agreed that having the full involvement of the federal government was critical to their success.

“In Halton we recognize the importance of protecting our largest source of water for residents,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “It is imperative that the Federal Government come to the table as there is currently no forum where representatives from all three levels of government meet to discuss protecting the Great Lakes.”

Mayors and Ministers also recognized the importance of attracting more people to the Great Lakes’ shorelines, to build support for Great Lakes investments and to promote local Great Lakes economies.

“We in Halton Region are very fortunate to live on the shores of Lake Ontario. Protecting the Great Lakes is essential to attract people to our community, whether to live and work, or to visit,” said Halton Regional Councillor Alan Johnston, who represented Halton Region at the Summit. “A Healthy Lake promotes healthy lifestyles and a vibrant local economy.”

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is an organization of over 60 mayors and other local officials in Canada and the US advocating for the protection, restoration and promotion of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

To see the Mayors’ five point action plan and report, please visit the Cities Initiative website, or contact Halton Region at 905-825-6000, by dialing 311, toll free: 1-866-442-5866.

Support Our Sponsors