For more than a decade scientists, environmental activists, community leaders and provincial and federal politicians have been learning, writing, and talking about the deteriorating condition of Lake Winnipeg.
This important body of water is connected through a massive watershed to four provinces and four US states and is home to approximately 5.5 million people.
Recently, the province of Manitoba commissioned Dr. Peter Leavitt, Canada Research chair in environmental change and society, department of biology, from the University of Regina, to assess the health of Lake Winnipeg and establish some clear benchmarks for restoring it. The study revealed Lake Winnipeg to be in serious ecological trouble.
On May 31, Dr. Leavitt and Dr. David Schindler, Killam professor of ecology, department of biological sciences at the University of Alberta, released their findings and recommendations to improve Lake Winnipeg's health. Leavitt said phosphorous levels in the lake must be reduced by 50 per cent. "If nothing's done then you have the potential of having algae that are toxic within the lake, not potentially toxic. There's human health risks associated with liver disease and even potential for cancer in some instances.
"Phosphorous levels in the lake are now worse than they were in Lake Erie when people were describing that lake as dead," said Leavitt. "We’re at a tipping point and if something isn’t done now, the consequences will be dire," he predicted.
Increased phosphorous levels are entering the lake from livestock farming, pollution from cities and through wetland loss. "It’s the challenge of the next decade," said Dr. Schindler.
"We all have a part to play if we’re going to stop the death of Lake Winnipeg; the stakes are just too high," said Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger.
The MGEU has taken up the challenge and has called for broader labour support for ongoing independent research on the Lake's ecosystem. Last month, the union announced it would provide $20,000 over five years to establish a new graduate student scholarship fund that will support research on Lake Winnipeg.
Several other labour organizations have also joined in the effort by making a financial contribution in support of the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium.
Today marks the start of Rivers to Oceans Week that recognizes this connectedness and reminds us that taking care of our water is a shared responsibility. Unions as well as federal, provincial and regional governments have all committed to doing their part in restoring the important ecosystem of Lake Winnipeg. Now is the time for action.