Press Release
Kenora MP Bob Nault last Thursday spoke on the importance of co-operation between Canada and the U.S. at the watershed forum held in International Falls.
The two countries are working together to protect the Rainy-Lake of the Woods basin.
“The watershed forum dates back to my first stint in federal politics, so I am very honoured to be here today to witness the significant progress that has been made,” said Nault.
“Canada and the U.S. share many things: a border, a great trade relationship, and, of course, the Rainy-Lake of the Woods freshwater basin,” he noted.
“Just as we work together in the many other facets of our relationship, so, too, should we work together on preserving this watershed.”
In January, 2015, the International Joint Commission (IJC) released a report entitled “Water Quality Plan of Study for the Lake of the Woods Basin.”
From the recommendations outlined in the report, Canada and the U.S. agreed that focusing on phosphorus reduction is the most effective way to address water quality issues in the basin.
Last summer, the Canadian government re-invested in protecting the Lake of the Woods water basin.
A $5.5 million investment was made by Environment and Climate Change Canada to address water quality and ecosystem health issues in Lake of the Woods.
That same summer, Ottawa provided $1.7 million, over the next two years, to the IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), which feeds into the Rainy-Lake of the Woods basin.
Research done at the IISD-ELA provides insight on how contaminants, climate change, and other factors affect our freshwater ecosystems by examining how threats, such as phosphorus, acid rain, and nanosilver, influence water management policies, both at home and around the world.
“I believe it is beneficial to strengthen our relationship with the IJC given its continued success and its influence on trans-boundary water issues,” said Nault.
“It is time to put science into action,” he stressed. “Canada is committed to working with the U.S. to preserve and protect this water and its ecosystems.
“We share this body of water, not only with citizens and indigenous people on both sides of the border, but also with our children and grandchildren,” Nault added.
“This shared initiative will protect this valuable resource for generations to come.”
