NEWS RELEASE:  March 6, 2008

Mercury threat rising in Ontario

Northern mining may compromise health of Ontario fish-eaters

TORONTO - On the heels of a major international mining convention in Toronto, a broad coalition of environmental groups, First Nations and academics are demanding that the Ontario Government investigate the looming threat of mercury contamination from industrial activities in the province's Boreal Forest.

Read the full release.

Read the summary of mercury concerns.

Ontario's Boreal Forest is increasingly under threat from industrial development.  CPAWS Wildlands League has produced a new updated threats map to the Boreal Forest.  To our knowledge, this type of comprehensive picture is not available anywhere else to the public.  Unfortunately, government inaction means that the Boreal Forest is under more threat than ever.  It is time for a change. It is time for the government to protect the Boreal Forest. 

Click here for a copy of our latest threats map.  Note it is a large file (7MB).  Email us with your comments to info at wildlandsleague.org. 

 New Threats Map, November 2007

How we choose to develop the boreal will decide its future. In a business as usual future we will see fragmentation tear apart this fragile ecosystem.

In a business as usual scenario, one of largest remaining unbroken stretches of forest in the world will be decided without considering how to sustain wildlife, clean water and healthy forests.

If current policies and trends continue, this global treasure will be overrun with clear cuts, roads, hydro transmission lines, mines and coalbed methane wells before we can consider other values of the land and how they should be protected.

But there is a better way. Plan for success. Put a plan together for the entire boreal that incorporates all the land uses. Require the land use plan to protect the boreal ecosystem in perpetuity.

Read our appeal, endorsed by 10 other environmental groups, to Premier McGuinty to protect Ontario's Northern Boreal Region