Past Events
Closing Environmental Research Stations: What’s The Impact?
Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 19:30
Laughing Buddha Café, 194 Elgin Street, Sudbury, ON
Headlines have been dominated by recent announcements of the closing and withdrawal of funding of several of Canada’s leading environmental research stations, including the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) and Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Lab (PEARL). What is the public value of these research stations? What is the impact that these closures will have on the future of environmental science and policy in Canada?
http://sciencenorth.ca/promos/sciencecafes/
Save the Experimental Lakes Area…our Global Asset
Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
On Tuesday, November 27th, the Coalition to Save ELA, the Boreal Forest Network, and the Council of Canadians are holding a public event at the Fort Garry Hotel in support of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). The event will highlight the launch of a ‘Save the ELA’ video, include speeches from special guests Maude Barlow and David Schindler, and performances by Rambling Dan Frechette and DJ Nathan Zahn.
Speakers/Performers include:
- Maude Barlow, Author, Activist, and National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians
- Dr. David Schindler, World’s foremost freshwater expert, former director of the ELA
- Diane Orihel, Director of the Coalition to Save ELA
- Rambling Dan Frechette and DJ Nathan Zahn
Event host: Susanne McCrea, Executive Director, Boreal Forest Network
For more information, check out the event !
Panel Discussion: Unmuzzled: the urgent need for the vocal aquatic scientist in today’s political climate in Canada
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Room 432, 4th Floor, Ramsay Wright Building, University of Toronto, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON
On Wednesday, October 24th, there will be a panel discussion held at the University of Toronto to raise awareness and promote action in response to recent changes in federal laws and cuts to government programs that are endangering the health and sustainability of Canada’s freshwater and fisheries resources. The main focus of the panel discussion will be on the need – and the strategies – for scientists to be advocates for freshwater protection in the context of Canada’s current political climate. The event has been co-organized by Mr. Dak de Kerckhove and Ms. Diane Orihel. Panellists include:
- Ms. Laura Bowman, Environmental Lawyer, Iler Campbell LPP
- Dr. Ken Minns, Research Scientist, Fisheries & Oceans Canada (retired)
- Mr. Tony Maas, Freshwater Director, World Wildlife Fund – Canada
- Dr. Norman Yan, Professor of Biology, York University
- Dr. Donald Jackson, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
- Ms. Diane Orihel, PhD Candidate, University of Alberta, Director, Coalition to Save ELA
For more information, check out the event !
Press Conference: Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area: Who should be the new operator?
Thursday, October 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
Charles Lynch Theatre, Room 130-S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa
On Thursday, October 16th, the Coalition to Save ELA is holding a press conference about the future of Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area (ELA). At tomorrow’s press conference, the Coalition to Save ELA and Opposition MPs will clarify their positions as to who should be the new operator of the ELA. Also, the Council of Canadians will announce new results from a national poll of Canadians concerning their support for the Harper Government’s cancellation of federal funding for the ELA research center. The press conference is being hosted by Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Liberal Water Critic. Speakers include:
- Diane Orihel, Director, Coalition to Save ELA
- Rebecca Rooney, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo
- Emma Lui, Water Campaigner, Council of Canadians
- Bruce Hyer, MP, Independent
- Elizabeth May, MP, Green Party Leader
Press Conference: Municipalities across northwestern Ontario join the fight to save a world-renown Canadian freshwater research center
Thursday, October 11, 2012, 11:00 a.m.
Main lobby of City Hall, Thunder Bay, ON
On Thursday, October 11th, the Coalition to Save ELA held a press conference to announce the incredible support the Experimental Lakes Area has received from municipalities across northwestern Ontario. The Coalition to Save ELA was accompanied at the press release by the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA), Environment North, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay – Superior North, Bruce Hyer. Speakers included:
- Diane Orihel, Director, Coalition to Save ELA
- Ron Nelson, President, Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association
- Scott Harris, Director, Environment North
- Bruce Hyer, MP, Thunder Bay – Superior North
Press Conference: Canadians call upon Government to reinstate funding for Experimental Lakes Area
Thursday, September 27, 2012, 12:30 p.m.
Charles Lynch Theatre, Room 130-S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON
On Thursday, September 27th, petitions to save Canada’s world renowned Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) will be delivered to Members of Parliament on the steps of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Following this, a press conference will be held to announce the number of Canadians who signed the Save ELA petition, review the options under consideration for the future of the ELA, and communicate the need for ELA to remain a public program under the purview of the Government of Canada. Speakers will include:
- Diane Orihel, Director, Coalition to Save ELA
- Anne Minh-Thu Quach, MP, New Democrat Deputy Environment Critic
- Robert Chisholm, MP, New Democrat Fisheries Critic
For more information, please see the .
Photo Opportunity: Petitions to save Experimental Lakes Area delivered to Parliament
Thursday, September 27, 2012, 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Main steps of Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON
On Thursday, September 27th, the Coalition to Save ELA will deliver petitions signed by concerned Canadians opposed to the Federal Government’s decision to cancel the Experimental Lakes Area program to MPs on Parliament Hill. MPs from political parties have been invited to come and receive the petitions. Supporters will be holding a large banner announcing the number of Canadians who signed the ‘Save ELA’ petition. For more information, see the .
Sunday, September 16, 2012, 14:00 – 16:00 (UTC-05) The Forks – Under the Canopy, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Join us for an educational and family-friendly celebration of stories, songs, and speeches in honor of Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area! On Sunday, September 16 from 2-4 pm, the ‘Coalition to Save ELA’ is hosting a public event in support of ELA at The Forks in Winnipeg, Manitoba. At the ‘Tribute to ELA at the Forks’, scientists and concerned citizens will join together to raise awareness and appreciation of the important contributions of ELA over the last 40 years. There will be educational displays and fun activities for the whole family. Click here to see the event announcement.
Public Event: Save our Fish! Save Our ELA!
Thursday, August 23, 2012, 12:00 – 13:00 (UTC-05) Kenora, Ontario
Join us for a family-friendly event in Kenora in support of the Experimental Lakes Area:
ELA is a unique, world-class facility in northwestern Ontario dedicated to research on water quality and fisheries, but the federal government is shutting it down next year. We need to save this vital program to ensure the future health of our lakes!
11:30 – 12:00 – Walk from Main Street & McClellan Ave to Husky the Muskie
12:00 – 13:00 – Speeches at Husky the Muskie, McLeod Park
Meet at Main Street & McClellan Ave at 11:30 am to walk along the lakeshore to Kenora’s famous fish sculpture – Husky the Muskie. At noon, scientists and concerned citizens will gather at Husky the Muskie to speak about the importance of the Experimental Lakes Area to northwestern Ontario, to Canada, and to the world.
Wear your favorite fishing shirt, bring your fishing rod, dress your children in fish costumes!
Please share this event on . For more information, email:
Public Event: Death of Evidence – No science, no evidence, no truth, no democracy.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012, 12:00 – 13:15 (UTC-04)
12:00 – 12:45 – Mock funeral procession from Ottawa Convention Centre to Parliament Hill
12:45 – 13:15 – Speeches on the Hill
Scientists are greatly concerned with the Harper government’s increasing attacks on science and evidence in Canada’s decision making process. We will not be muzzled, the time is now to take action and let Canada know that this is not acceptable.
On July 10th at high noon, we are hosting a funeral for the DEATH OF EVIDENCE where we will say goodbye to the beloved fact-based policy that once shaped our country. We invite everyone who supports the notion that science, evidence, truth, and democracy, should be the foundation of any nation, to raise their voice and march with us.
Lab coats, legal robes, and whatever scientific paraphernalia you can adorn yourself with, are greatly encouraged.
Follow our twitter feed for the latest developments:
Press Conference: First Nations oppose closure of Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area
Thursday, June 21, 2012, National Aboriginal Day – 10:30 (UTC-04)
Charles Lynch Theatre, Room 130 S, Centre Block, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa, ON (open to press only)
A press conference in Ottawa on Thursday will raise concerns about how the recent decision by the Government of Canada to terminate a world-class federal research program, the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA), diminishes the Government’s capacity to deal with issues of concern to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
Indigenous people have a special relationship with fish and wildlife – a relationship based on subsistence needs and values extending back thousands of years. Contamination of freshwater fish with toxins, particularly mercury, has significant health implications for indigenous people.
Research at Canada’s ELA has been critical for developing mitigation strategies for reducing toxin contamination in fishes. Termination of this federal research program will seriously undermine the Federal Government’s ability to develop such mitigation strategies in the future.
First Nation Chiefs and their allies are strongly urging the Government to reverse its decision to axe the ELA program.
Elizabeth May, MP, Green Party Leader
Ron Plain, Environmental Policy Analyst, Southern First Nations Secretariat
Diane Orihel, Leader, Coalition to Save ELA and PhD Candidate, University of Alberta
Maude Barlow, National Chairperson, Council of Canadians
Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Liberal Critic for Water Policy
Philip Toone, MP, NDP Deputy Fisheries Critic
Bruce Hyer, MP, Independent
Press Conference: World-renowned research facility closure threatens invaluable water studies, One-of-a-kind nanomaterials study at Experimental Lakes Area in jeopardy
Monday, June 18, 2012 – 12:30 (UTC-04)
National Press Theatre, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON
The recent decision by the Government of Canada to terminate the famed Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) research facility jeopardizes the only major study in the world on nanosilver and its potential to alter the ecological balance of lakes.
The abrupt closure means invaluable water research projects—not being done anywhere else in the world—will be lost, and their future findings lost with them. This includes a one-of-a-kind investigation looking at what happens in a lake polluted by nanosilver, the increasingly popular antimicrobial agent found in everything from household cleaning sponges to socks and even children’s teddy bears.
Nanosilver is currently added to over 300 commercial products, and is released into our rivers and lakes through the discharge of municipal and industrial wastewaters. The ELA facility in Canada is the only place in the world where the effects of nanosilver and other contaminants can be studied at a whole ecosystem level.
A team of researchers from Trent University in Peterborough, ON, headed by Prof. Chris Metcalfe, will explain why this study is of critical importance to all Canadians, and why the Government should continue to support the ELA.
In addition, the Coalition to Save ELA will echo the call by the Provinces of Manitoba and Ontario for the Government of Canada to defer the decision to close the ELA in order to rigorously explore a new operating regime for this critical Canadian research facility.
Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth – Cole Harbour), MP, NDP Fisheries and Oceans Critic
Vance L. Trudeau, PhD, University of Ottawa Research Chair in Neuroendocrinology, Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Genomics, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa
Chris D. Metcalfe, PhD, Professor of Environmental & Resource Studies, Director of Institute for Watershed Science, Trent
University; Senior Research Associate, UN University – Institute for Water, Environment & Health
Diane M. Orihel, BSc, MNRM, Leader of the Coalition to Save ELA, PhD Candidate in Ecology, University of Alberta
Philip Toone (Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine), MP, NDP Deputy Fisheries and Oceans Critic
Press Conference: Terminating Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area
Friday, June 15, 2012 – 09:30 to 10:15 (UTC-04)
National Press Theatre, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON
The Government of Canada is terminating support of Canada’s famed Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in March 2013. Environment Minister Peter Kent stated recently that the Government needs to re-allocate resources west to monitor the impacts of Alberta’s oil sands on acid-sensitive lakes. World-renowned aquatic scientists Dr. David Schindler and Dr. John Smol would like to inform Canadians of why it is scientifically flawed and an unnecessary expense to close the ELA and open a similar facility in western Canada. These scientists will also argue that the ELA’s long-term monitoring program is critical for our understanding of current and future environmental issues, including climate change. In addition, the Coalition to Save ELA will announce their list of high-profile supporters of the ELA.
Ms. Diane Orihel, Leader of the Coalition to Save ELA, and PhD Candidate in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. David W. Schindler, Killam Memorial Chair in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, First Stockholm Water Prize, Tyler Environment Prize, NSERC Herzberg Gold Medallist
Dr. John P. Smol, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change, Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, NSERC Herzberg Gold Medallist, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) Hutchinson Medallist, Society of Canadian Limnologists Rigler Award
Public Seminar: Challenging Minister Kent’s Rationale for Terminating Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area
Friday June 15, 2012 – 11:15 EDT (UTC-04)
D’Iorio Hall, Room 214, 10 Marie Curie Road, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1N 9A4
The Government of Canada is terminating support of Canada’s famed Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in March 2013. Environment Minister Peter Kent stated recently that the Government needs to re-allocate resources west to monitor the impacts of Alberta’s oil sands on acid-sensitive lakes. World-renowned aquatic scientists Dr. David Schindler and Dr. John Smol would like to inform Canadians of why it is scientifically flawed and an unnecessary expense to close the ELA and open a similar facility in western Canada. These scientists will also argue that the ELA’s long-term monitoring program is critical for our understanding of current and future environmental issues, including climate change. In addition, the Coalition to Save ELA will announce their list of high-profile supporters of the ELA.
Ms. Diane Orihel, Leader of the Coalition to Save ELA, and PhD Candidate in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. David W. Schindler, Killam Memorial Chair in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, First Stockholm Water Prize, Tyler Environment Prize, NSERC Herzberg Gold Medallist
Dr. John P. Smol, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change, Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, NSERC Herzberg Gold Medallist, Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) Hutchinson Medallist, Society of Canadian Limnologists Rigler Award
Parking: Brooks Residence Garage, 100 Thomas More or The University Sports Complex Parking Garage 801 King Edward Ave
Public Event: Rally to Save the Experimental Lakes Area
Thursday, June 14, 2012 – 16:30 to 18:00 CDT (UTC-05)
MP Greg Rickford’s Office, Dryden, ON P8N 2G2
Press Conference: Canadians Petition Government to Save the Experimental Lakes Area
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 – 12:00 EDT (UTC-04)
National Press Theatre, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa, ON
Ms. Diane Orihel, Leader of the Coalition to Save ELA, and PhD Candidate in Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta
Dr. Jules Blais, President of The Society of Canadian Limnologists, and Professor in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Ottawa
Dr. Karen Kidd, Canada Research Chair in Chemical Contamination of Food Webs, Biology Department and Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick Saint John
Members of Parliament from different political parties, including Robert Chisholm (NDP), Kirsty Duncan (Liberal), Elizabeth May (Green), and Bruce Hyer (Independent)
Public Event: Closing the ELA – What is at Stake?
An Information Session & Discussion on the Experimental Lakes Area
Sunday, June 10, 2012 – 17:00 to 20:00 CDT (UTC-05)
, 116 Fifth Avenue South, Kenora, ON P9N 2A2
Diane Orihel, Leader of the Coalition to Save ELA
Ian Davies, Former ELA researcher
Susan Kasian, Former ELA researcher
Bruce Hyer, MP for Thunder Bay – Superior North
Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora, was invited to attend this event.
A community potluck will follow the information session and discussion.
There will also be a Save ELA rally @ noon on Saturday, June 9 at Greg Rickford’s office on Main Street (across from the Library).
Press Conferences: Open Letter to PM released June 5, 2012 on federal decision to terminate support of Canada’s Experimental Lakes Area
Edmonton: 11:30 MDT (UTC-06) University of Alberta, Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science (CCIS) room 1-140
Winnipeg: 11:30 CDT (UTC-05) River Walk behind Manitoba Legislature ()
Press Conference: New Democrats Condemn the Elimination of Freshwater Research Program
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 – 11:00am EDT (UTC-04)
Charles Lynch Room – 130-S, Centre Block, Ottawa
NDP Critic for Fisheries, Robert Chisholm, Deputy-Critic for the Environment, Anne Minh-Thu Quach and MP Pat Martin will hold a press conference to discuss the Conservative decision to eliminate the Experimental Lakes Area program, a research and education project to protect freshwater ecosystems.
For more information, please contact: Lyne Robichaud, Press Secretary, 613-292-2970 or
Public Forum: Experimental Lakes Research in Peril
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 – 7:00pm until 9:30pm CDT (UTC-05)
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg 603 Wellington Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3M 0A7 map
The Green Action Committee of the Unitarian Church and the Green Action Centre are holding a public forum on the importance of preserving the internationally renowned research facility at the Experimental Lakes Area, which is currently under threat of closure. Three scientists and a graduate student will speak. Questions and brief comments from the public are welcome, and there will be time for networking and strategizing. The event is free and all are invited.
Ray Hesslein, former head of ELA
Greg McCullough, University of Manitoba, Department of Geography
John Shearer, formerly, senior biologist and operations manager for ELA
Matt Martens, master of science student, University of Manitoba
Diane Orihel from the Coalition to Save ELA will make an announcement at approximately 9 pm
Moderated by Vicki Burns, outreach coordinator, Lake Winnipeg Foundation
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