Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (LOW) is a Toronto-based environmental justice advocacy group founded in 2001, with Lake Ontario, the Great Lakes Basin, and allied waterways at heart. It is a licensed member of the New York–based Waterkeeper Alliance,[1] and a registered Canadian charity. Lake Ontario Waterkeeper was founded by environmental lawyer Mark Mattson, and Krystyn Tully. In November 2017, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Fraser Riverkeeper, North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper and its digital platforms were all consolidated under the name “Swim Drink Fish”. [2]
| Formation | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Type | Environmental justice advocacy |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Official language | English |
President | Mark Mattson |
Key people | Krystyn Tully |
| Website | http://swimdrinkfish.ca |
Actions and initiatives edit
In Summer of 2001 LOW triggered a $250 Million Federal Government remediation plan at Port Granby near Port Hope, Ontario. The dump, was established by Eldorado Mining and Refining Limited (and now managed by Cameco Corp.).[6] In 2005 LOW campaigned the City of Kingston, Ontario to disclose timely data about repeated sewage discharges into Lake Ontario.[7] In 2006 LOW produced "Heart of A Lake" concert tour to several cities in Ontario, Canada blending activism with art.[8] Starting in 2006 LOW started a campaign opposing the burning of tires by Lafarge operations in Bath, Ontario.[9] In 2007 LOW compelled the City of Toronto to disclose specific reasons why beaches are closed, and used the legal system to force the City to take responsibility.[3] Citing a "little-known provincial environmental guideline called F-5 that says municipalities must ensure that beaches are clean enough for swimming 95 per cent of the time." This builds on a 2006 LOW report "Investigating Municipal Beaches: Lessons from Bluffer's Park" which cited some beaches were closed to swimming 42 per cent of the time.[10]
In 2009, the organization launched Swim Drink Fish Music, an online music club which features rare and exclusive tracks by Canadian musicians.
Notable supporters edit
- The Tragically Hip and particularly their frontman Gord Downie[11]
- Edward Burtynsky, photographer [12][13]
- Sarah Harmer, folk musician[11][14]
- David Suzuki, Canadian environmentalist and broadcaster.[11]
- Bruce Cockburn, musician[11]
- Chris Brown, musician[14]
- Law Foundation of Ontario[15][16]
- Jennifer Baichwal, Canadian Documentary Filmmaker [17]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Waterkeeper: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper: Contact Us". Waterkeeper Alliance. Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-12.
- ^ "Our History".
- ^ a b Keenan, Edward; Prittie, Jennifier (May 22, 2003). "Political pollution". Eye Weekly. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
- ^ "From Chicago to Toronto, cities spilling waste into Great Lakes". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. June 26, 2004. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008.
- ^ "Ships sweep toxic trash into our lake – and feds just let it happen". Now Toronto. May 19, 2005. Archived from the original on April 19, 2007.
- ^ McCutcheon, Duff (October 1, 2007). "Mark Mattson, Lake Ontario Keeper". Canadian Yachting. Kerrwil Publications Limited, Oct 2002: 26, 27. ISSN 0384-0999. 347122521ProQuest 222821010.
- ^ Kingston Whig-Standard (ON) - Final - 23 December 2005
- ^ "Gord Downie and Waterkeeper bring "Heart of A Lake" to Whitby, Port Hope, Kingston". Ottawa: Canada NewsWire. August 28, 2006. p. 1.
- ^ "Lafarge review rolls on". Ontario: Kingston Whig-Standard. September 12, 2007.
- ^ Medley, Mark. "Calling the City's Bluff: One advocate says Toronto needs to stop making excuses and start cleaning up our beaches". Eye Weekly. Archived from the original on 2011-05-22.
- ^ a b c d Lake Ontario Waterkeeper (September 25, 2007). "3 live shows raise awareness, cash for Lake Ontario Watershed: Chris Brown, Barenaked Ladies, Sarah Harmer perform this week". Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2007-10-23.
- ^ Edward Burtynsky. Edward Burtynsky uncut interview for Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.
- ^ "Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Edward Burtynsky Host the Second Annual Waterkeeper Gala on May 23". Retrieved 2013-04-25.
- ^ a b
Dillon, Moya. "Sarah Harmer, Gord Downie And Others Team Up In Support Of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper". ChartAttack. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2009-03-14.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "The Law Foundation of Ontario expands support to public interest organizations". Ottawa: Canada NewsWire. June 6, 2007. p. 1.
- ^ The Law Foundation of Ontario Selects Six Public Interest Organizations for Innovative Articling Fellowships. Press Release. June 16, 2005.
- ^ "Jennifer Baichwal".
External links edit