September 2, 2013
The Government of Canada, the Ontario government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) are pleased to announce that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). This Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates the three parties’ commitment to ensure a smooth transition of the ELA to a new operator.
This agreement will allow the research facility to remain open while a long-term agreement is finalized.
The Experimental Lakes Area is a one-of-a-kind, freshwater research region. The research conducted by scientists from right here in Ontario, Canada and internationally, informs pollution reduction strategies, our understanding of climate change and how we can protect the lakes and rivers in Ontario, across Canada and around the world.
QUOTES
“The Government of Canada has upheld its commitment to ensuring that a new operator is well- positioned to take over the Experimental Lakes Area, and we will continue to follow through on this commitment. I would like to highlight the collaboration of all parties involved in this file and in particular, thank my colleagues Greg Rickford and Joyce Bateman for their active and constructive role.”
— Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
“This agreement is the result of a constructive discussion between all three parties and it will ensure that the ELA remains open while a long-term agreement is put in place. Ontario has stepped-up to provide the financial support necessary to help IISD keep this world class facility operational and producing ground-breaking research on important global issues such as acid rain and climate change.”
— David Orazietti, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources
“We are pleased to have reached an interim agreement that ensures the important scientific research at the Experimental Lakes Area will continue to inform Canada and the world and will continue to provide valuable scientific knowledge critical to manage freshwater resources in a sustainable way.”
— Scott Vaughan, President, International Institute for Sustainable Development
