Share your ideas: Assessing phosphorus targets for Lake Ontario

Current status: Closed

We are seeking your comments on an assessment of Lake Ontario’s nutrient targets under the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Input received will be considered in the development of a final recommendation on targets for Lake Ontario.

Background

Nutrients like phosphorus are essential to the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Too much phosphorus leads to excessive growth of toxic and nuisance algae, yet too little phosphorus can affect aquatic food webs. Nutrient-related impacts affect our health, environment, economy and well-being. Nutrient targets are a key tool that guide planning and action to achieve environmental results.

In 2020, Canada and the United States established an expert task team to review the interim nutrient targets for Lake Ontario and determine whether they should be revised. Based on the findings of its assessment, the task team does not recommend revising the targets at this time. For more information, visit the preventing toxic and nuisance algae page of Canada.ca.

How to participate

By email

Send an email with your ideas or comments to make your voice heard using the email address in the “Contact us” section below.

Consultation details

Who is the focus of this consultation?

All Canadians are invited to participate in this consultation. We especially would like to hear from:

• Indigenous communities
• the public
• municipalities
• watershed agencies
• environmental and non-government organizations
• industry
• academia

Related information

• Preventing toxic and nuisance algae
• Infographic outlining the task team’s recommendation (pdf only)

  Contact us

  Email: greatlakes-grandlacs@ec.gc.ca

  Freshwater Management – Ontario Division
  Great Lakes Harmful Pollutants Section
  Environment and Climate Change Canada
  867 Lakeshore Road
  Burlington, ON
  L7R 4A6