SPRING BAY—Federal funding is being provided for the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), which is great news says, a local resident and Algonquin Eco Watch member.
“Apparently the feds have picked up the funding for this project, which is very good news,” stated Mike Wilton of Spring Bay, this past weekend. “This is good for all of Canada, not just Ontario, because of the remarkable work they (ELA) do. Previously the Ontario and Manitoba governments, along with another group, had picked up the funding costs to continue the program.”
Mr. Wilton pointed out he had recently received a message from Carol Hughes, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, providing good news concerning the ELA project.
Ms. Hughes had texted him April 8 explaining, “I imagine by now you have seen that the funding for this ELA project will be reinstated. Apparently, while it was not directly mentioned in the (federal) budget, it falls under the $197.1 million over five years the government will provide to the Fisheries and Oceans of Canada department. Given the shifting nature of a number of promises and dollar amounts since the election, we will keep an eye on any changes to the plan that might stand in the way of a full reinstatement, but for now it appears the issue may be resolved,” wrote Ms. Hughes.
“The ELA provides very important data, and in the long term it would be a shame to lose access to the type of information the ELA provides,” said Mr. Wilton. “I understand they (ELA) conduct tests on different invasive species, pesticides etcetera, and their work helps to make sure fish populations remain in place-or succeed further.”
