The federal and Ontario governments released their plan to tackle Lake Erie’s damaging algae blooms, including several of our key recommendations. The plan includes over 120 actions that will be led by Government and agricultural groups, though more will be needed.

In 2017 Canada announced almost $45 million dollars over five years to support the Great Lakes. We welcomed the commitment, but caution that this amount is not nearly enough to restore the health of the lakes that provide drinking water for millions of people.

We, along with several other concerned organizations and groups, raised the alarm bell about the impact water bottling companies were having on the environment and communities’ access to drinking water. In response, in October, the Ontario government proposed changes to the rules for water bottlers, including a two-year ban on new and expanded operations.

In October, Ontario passed a strengthened Great Lakes Protection Act, which included several of our recommendations, to better protect the waters millions of Ontarians depend on to drink, work, and play.

Along with other groups, we helped ensure the province fulfilled its commitment under an international agreement on water diversions. In December, Ontario announced a new regulation halting water diversions between Great Lakes watersheds.

We worked with other groups to call on the federal and Ontario governments to sign a new Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA). The agreement ensures coordinated efforts by both levels of government to protect the Great Lakes basin

Working with other NGOs, we consulted the province on what it should include in its Great Lake Strategy. The strategy contains Ontario’s vision, goals and priorities to help restore, protect, and conserve the Great Lakes.

We played a role in getting this Canada-U.S. agreement signed by coordinating the response from NGOs, participating in content development, and helping to keep negotiations on track.

As a member of the Ontario Water Conservation Alliance, we contributed to the development and passage of the Water Conservation and Opportunities Act in Ontario.

Along with partners, we raised awareness about the need for tighter controls on development projects impacting Lake Simcoe. The result: a Private Member’s Bill was introduced, leading to the passage of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act.