A local Member of Parliament has called on the federal government to honour its commitment to Great Lakes funding.
In a letter addressed to Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau and federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan, Windsor West MP Brian Masse called for the government to increase its support for the Great Lakes, as indicated by the Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries.
Masse pointed out that the United States has been honouring its end of the bargain when it comes to the convention.
"Canada is obligated to fund 31 per cent of sea lamprey control and 50 per cent of the costs associated with the science, fishery management and administration," wrote Masse. "The United States government is responsible for the remainder of this funding. Unfortunately, Canada is failing at meeting our obligations under this binational agreement and is only contributing $9.54-million of the $19.44-million that we should be spending. This is unacceptable."
Masse also pointed out that the Great Lakes remain a vital source for the region's drinking water and are part of the vital St. Lawrence Seaway shipping system that brings commerce to Great Lakes locations on both sides of the international border.
"The Great Lakes ecosystem needs to be protected from dangers of invasive species and environmental contaminants which threaten to upset the balance to this valuable source of freshwater that we rely on so predominantly," wrote Masse. "It is vital that we all work together to ensure the long-term health, vitality, and protection of the Great Lakes."
Masse has requested that the fiduciary responsibility of the convention shift from the Ministry of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard to Global Affairs Canada.
