Bill to Protect Great Lakes Passes Second Reading
Ontario Working to Protect the Great Lakes for a Strong Green Economy
Today, Bill 6, the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act 2013 passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature. The proposed act, if passed, would ensure cleaner and healthier Great Lakes that are protected for future generations.
The proposed Great Lakes Protection Act would provide new tools to restore and protect the lakes and create a Great Lakes Guardians' Council to identify priorities and recommend actions to address them.
Bill 6 has now been referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and public hearings on the bill are anticipated to occur later this fall.
Protecting the environment will enhance the quality of life for Ontario families and ensure a dynamic, green economy for future generations. This is part of the government's plan to invest in people, invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate.
- Ontario’s Great Lakes basin is home to 40 per cent of Canada’s economic activity.
- More than 80 per cent of Ontarians get their drinking water from the Great Lakes.
- Ontario’s Great Lakes form the longest freshwater coastline in the world, stretching more than 11,000 kilometres.
- Read the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act
- Learn about Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy
- Find out how the government is helping people protect their corner of the Great Lakes
“Ontarians want Great Lakes that are drinkable, swimmable and fishable. And our bill, if passed, would better protect these irreplaceable resources.”