Termination of ELA diminishes Government’s capacity to address indigenous water issues
June 21, 2012 (OTTAWA) — A press conference in Ottawa on Thursday will raise concerns about how the recent decision by the Government of Canada to terminate a world-class federal research program, the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), diminishes the Government’s capacity to deal with issues of concern to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
Thursday, June 21 at 10:30 am (National Aboriginal Day) Charles Lynch Theatre, Room 130 S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
Indigenous people have a special relationship with fish and wildlife – a relationship based on subsistence needs and values extending back thousands of years.
Contamination of freshwater
fish with toxins, particularly mercury, has significant health implications for indigenous people.
Research at Canada’s ELA has been critical for developing mitigation strategies for reducing toxin contamination in fishes. Termination of this federal research program will seriously undermine the Federal Government’s ability to develop such mitigation strategies in the future.
First Nation Chiefs and their allies are strongly urging the Government to reverse its decision to axe the ELA program.
Press Conference
Coalition to Save ELA
Thursday, June 21 at 10:30 am (National Aboriginal Day)Charles Lynch Theatre, Room 130 S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
Host: Elizabeth May, MP, Green Party Leader
Speakers:
Ron Plain, Environmental Policy Analyst, Southern First Nations Secretariat
Diane Orihel, Leader, Coalition to Save ELA and PhD Candidate, University of Alberta
Maude Barlow, National Chairperson, Council of Canadians
Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Liberal Critic for Water Policy
Philip Toone, MP, NDP Deputy Fisheries Critic
Bruce Hyer, MP, Independent
The Coalition to Save ELA is a non-partisan group of scientists and citizens concerned about the future of Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Coalition to Save ELA,
Diane Orihel (Tel: 204-979-2395) or Heidi Swanson (Tel: 587-708-1322).
Email: media@saveela.org