Swim season arrived in Ontario this month. For you maybe that means open-water swimming after work, or joining a dragon boat team or perhaps waking up early to fish.As you start planning your recreational water activities, here are five ways to connect with Waterkeeper:1. Toronto Harbour MonitoringThe Toronto Harbour Monitoring team collects water samples from the harbour’s popular recreational areas. The Swim Guide team, with sponsors Evergreen and Muskoka Brewery, make this project possible. Want…

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The Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) and Lake Ontario Waterkeeper intervened in the Hamilton Beach site court hearing on May 23, 2018. The implications of the court’s decision will fundamentally affect the implementation of the Environmental Protection Act in Ontario.In particular, it will determine the scope of section 18 of the Act and the future of contaminated site clean up in this province.After Ontario’s Spill Action Centre was informed about buried metal drums on the…

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Swim season is upon us. The urge to connect with water is at its strongest during these warm summer months. The lakes, rivers, and streams are yours to enjoy. Yet, recreational water standards which are in place to protect public health from contaminated water are poorly understood. The E.coli thresholds mean the difference between open and posted beaches but are also an indicator of drinkable and fishable waters. That is why Swim Drink Fish Canada,…

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In October 2016, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) applied to renew its Waste Facility Operating Licence for its Pickering Waste Management Facility (PWMF). The previous licence expired March 31, 2018.OPG requested a licence term of approximately eleven years that would expire on August 31, 2028. OPG’s requested licence would permit it to continue its routine operations at the PWMF over that period, namely:processing and storing used fuel rods from the reactors at the Pickering Nuclear Generating…

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Public engagement and consultation strengthen the Swim Drink Fish movement. The Scarborough Waterfront Project on Lake Ontario proves it. Paving over Grey Abbey beach was proposed. Public engagement occurred. Amendments to preserve the beach resulted.On May 14, 2018, Mark Mattson, President and Waterkeeper, addressed the City of Toronto's Executive Committee. He was one of 17 deputants speaking about the Scarborough Waterfront Project. This agenda item had more public deputations than any other.Mark Mattson addressed the…

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The current operating licence for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station (PNGS) is set to expire in August 2018. As Ontario Power Generation (OPG) applies for a licence renewal, Swim Drink Fish received funding to commission expert reviews of local water quality and ecosystem impacts of the PNGS.With expert assistance, Swim Drink Fish planned to submit recommendations for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Tribunal to consider during its review of the PNGS licence conditions.However, Swim…

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This year’s Swim Drink Fish Gala returned to the shores of Lake Ontario. Rebel’s lakeside view reminded over 400 guests why swimmable, drinkable, fishable water matters - water shapes our daily lives. It connects us.The seventh annual fundraising gala celebrated the Swim Drink Fish movement and paid a heartfelt tribute to board member and mentor, Gord Downie.At the start of the evening, Marilyn Bell Di Lascio recognized five new Swim Drink Fish ambassadors: Loren King,…

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Our annual Swim Drink Fish Gala is one day away and we have a wonderful evening planned. While celebrating swimmable, drinkable, fishable water, we will welcome five new ambassadors to the Swim Drink Fish family.I couldn’t be happier welcoming these five ambassadors:Loren King: An accomplished marathon swimmer, in August 2016 Loren swam the Marilyn Bell route across Lake Ontario. Loren is a founding member of Great Lakes Trust, a social entrepreneur and an associate professor at…

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Contract Opportunity: Beach Water Quality Database Research Location: Toronto officeStart Date: Available starting May 2018. The work must be completed no later than 31 July 2018.Swim Drink Fish Canada is looking for someone to help compile a report on recreational and beach water quality databases. The contractor will prepare a report that answers the following questions:Where are recreational water quality monitoring bodies and beach managers in Canada and the USA currently storing recreational water quality data?Are those databases required…

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A new Fisheries Act could see lost protections restored, promising full protection for all fish and fish habitat. But did you know that if fish and their habitats are protected to the pre-2012 standard, the swimmability, drinkability, and fishability of Canadian waters is protected as well?On April 16, 2018, the new Fisheries Act was sent to committee. As the Act makes its way through Parliament, Swim Drink Fish’s Gabrielle Parent-Doliner and Mark Mattson weigh in…

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