Press Release
Doctors, lawyers, city councillors, teachers, scientists, reverends, elders, and concerned citizens showed tremendous support for the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) last Thursday at the “Save our Fish! Save our ELA” rally in Kenora.
The ELA—a federal science program dedicated to understanding the impacts of human activity on freshwater lakes and fish populations—recently was cancelled by the Harper government.
In front of the “Husky the Muskie” sculpture on the Kenora waterfront, 10 speakers addressed a crowd of about 70 people to express their views on why the ELA is important and needs to be saved.
Rev. Henry Hildebrandt, director of the Kenora Fellowship Centre, shared his wisdom about our role and responsibility to be good stewards of water.
Another leader of the local faith community, Knox United Church minister Eric Matheson, also was in attendance.
Kenora Coun. Sharon Smith referred to the economic benefits of the ELA to Kenora, and the local revenues and jobs that will be lost next year if it is closed.
She made the case that ELA is “Kenora’s international gem” and is an important source of pride for the city.
Dr. Bill Cameron, a retired physician who lives in Kenora, pointed out that “the $2 million needed to keep the ELA open to continue facilitating excellent, world-renowned science is equivalent to much less than a penny when compared to the Canadian government’s budget.”
“The benefits of this science is multiplied many fold when protecting our environment,” he noted.
“The ELA is the one and only place in Canada, and in the world, where research is done on the whole lake ecosystems,” explained Sallie Hunt, a local lawyer and Kenora resident.
She added the ELA is recognized internationally as “the best-known freshwater research facility on the planet.”
Dave Schwartz, a concerned citizen of Kenora, stressed that “shutting down this unique, cost-effective, and highly-respected freshwater ecosystem research is a foolish and tragic step backwards for Canada and Canadian science.”
Erika Olsen, who spoke on behalf of the City of Kenora’s Environmental Advisory Committee, informed the crowd that the City of Kenora passed a resolution calling on the federal government to reinstate funding to the ELA.
It also requested that Kenora MP Greg Rickford advocate on behalf of the city for restoration of federal funding to the ELA.
Peter Kirby, the local lawyer who served as the emcee, closed the event with a clear message to the local MP.
“Responsible, respectful citizens from all walks of life–ministers, doctors, scientists, lawyers, teachers, retired persons–and of every political persuasion, call on Greg Rickford to meet with us in the hope that we can persuade the government to change its mind,” Kirby said.
Rickford was invited to speak at the event and listen to the views of his constituents, but he did not respond to the invitation or attend.
He also has declined invitations to attend a public forum on ELA held last June at Knox United Church, and to participate in a public debate this month to explain and defend his party’s decision to terminate the ELA program and its team of scientists.
