Without a proper public review, the Federal Government of Canada has decided to classify some lakes as dumping grounds for mining companies to use for disposing of mining tailings. This pollution can have a dangerous impact on the surrounding environment, and especially fish populations. Canadians, let's speak out and tell the government that this is not acceptable and that alternative solutions must be found. Please take a minute to sign this important petition.
For more info, please read the CBC article that brought this issue to light. Lakes across Canada face being turned into mine dump sites - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/16/condemned-lakes.html#socialcomments
Without a proper public review, the Federal Government of Canada has decided to classify some lakes as dumping grounds for mining companies to use for disposing of mining tailings. This pollution can have a dangerous impact on the surrounding environment, and especially fish populations. Canadians, let's speak out and tell the government that this is not acceptable and that alternative solutions must be found. Please take a minute to sign this important petition.
For more info, please read the CBC article that brought this issue to light. Lakes across Canada face being turned into mine dump sites - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/16/condemned-lakes.html#socialcomments
Hon. John Baird, Canadian Minister of the Environment (Baird.J@parl.gc.ca http://www.johnbaird.com)
We the undersigned have become aware of federal government plans, under Schedule Two of the mining effluent regulations, to allow selected lakes across Canada to become dumps for mining tailings. Four lakes in Newfoundland are already being used as dumps, and many more lakes are set to be reclassified as dumps. (CBC story on the issue - http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/16/condemned-lakes.html#socialcomments )
We understand that environmentalists have warned that it is not possible to completely contain the lakes and stop the effluent from draining into important fish habitats.
It is disturbing that the federal government has been trying to push these plans through without consulting the Canadian public. Already the Federal Court has been dealing with this issue and has criticized federal bureaucrats for trying to push this decision through without a proper public review. Does the mining industry hold so much power over the Canadian government, that the federal government chooses to abandon its responsibility to the citizens and make damaging decisions that favour the mining companies?
We the undersigned feel strongly about protecting Canadian lakes. There can be no compromise when it comes to the health of the vegetation, waterways, and all the living organisms that will be impacted with a decision to allow toxic chemicals to be dumped freely into lakes by mining companies (or any other industry for that matter).
We strongly urge the Federal Government to stop the current plans and to find alternative solutions for dealing with the mining waste. For example, subsidizing the building of waste containment ponds to hold the mining tailings. This may be more expensive, but our lakes and environment are priceless. Changes must be made to Schedule Two of the Fisheries Act, and any other Acts that may allow mining companies or government officials to use loopholes to pollute the environment.
We are not in the dark on this issue any longer, and we will be keeping track of the developments. Please give us some hope that the intense wishes of the Canadian people to protect their environment will win out over the powerful influence of industry.
We signed the "Canadian lakes to be turned into mining dumps" petition!
# 1,103:
7:55 am PDT, Oct 9,Jen Brown, Canada
# 1,102:
10:51 am PDT, Oct 8,Lorrie Mohl, Canada
Lakes flow into rivers and streams, and rivers and stream flow to the ocean and are a resource to communities "down stream"....who are we passing the polution on to? This is not ok.
# 1,101:
10:37 am PDT, Oct 8,Ronei Faganello, Canada
This matter needs proper review and the environment needs to be a priority on this issue.
# 1,100:
5:40 pm PDT, Oct 7,Dennis & Monica Ozero, Canada
I've used this lake over the years and my children and their children have enjoyed wonderful camping trips as well.
# 1,099:
4:25 pm PDT, Oct 7,Name not displayed, Canada
I used to camp at Fish Lake with my family and have every intention of continuing that intention with my children in the future. It is beautiful, the wildlife exquisite, and the experiance is truly one of a kind.
# 1,098:
12:17 pm PDT, Oct 7,Name not displayed, Canada
# 1,097:
10:14 am PDT, Oct 7,Tanya Casselman, Canada
# 1,096:
2:30 pm PDT, Oct 6,Mary-Anne Ozero, Canada
# 1,095:
8:16 am PDT, Oct 6,Megan McEwen-Nekrash, Canada
We have the technology and means to find better ways to dispose of waste, lets keep Canada and her waters clean like we are capable of.
I trust that you, Hon John Baird, Minister of Environment will take this matter very seriously and direct an outcome that will not affect any environment negatively.
Sincerely,
Megan McEwn-Nekrash
# 1,094:
8:14 am PDT, Oct 6,Denise Mackinnon, Canada
These little known subsections are slowly killing our beautiful country. How dare you think we are unintelligent enough to miss your loop holes hidden within the "we care about the environment" acts. You care about money, and it is sad.
# 1,093:
6:58 am PDT, Oct 6,Shannon MacDonald, Canada
# 1,092:
10:41 pm PDT, Oct 5,Mike Bellis, Canada
# 1,091:
8:25 pm PDT, Oct 5,Kristi Ozero, Canada
Mining companies should have to dispose of their waste responsibly just as we as individuals do. Are we allowed to dump our garbage in lakes? I spent many happy times as a child at one of the lakes on the dump list. It's a treasure and should be there for future generations to enjoy.
# 1,090:
8:13 am PDT, Oct 5,David Ross, Canada
Don't do that - its wrong.
# 1,089:
3:42 pm PDT, Oct 4,Steve Anderosov, Canada
No natural waterway or body of water should be expropriated for the disposal of industrial waste because it is a part of the surrounding ecosystem and should be left intact.Industrial waste disposal should be a part of the development permit process and should be completely and permanently confined to the operational site.If waste cannot be sequestered on site the project should not be permitted to proceed,PERIOD.
# 1,088:
12:00 am PDT, Oct 4,Jenna Anderosov, Canada
We need to protect our valuable land and waterways. No good can come of these careless practices in the end!
# 1,087:
10:13 pm PDT, Oct 3,Name not displayed, Canada
Mining tailings can have a dangerous impact on the lake and its surrounding environment especially fish populations. Pollution is pollution no matter where it's found.Le't show our children we care about the environment by saying no to this kind of dumping.
# 1,086:
2:33 pm PDT, Oct 3,William Warren, Canada
I cannot believe, in this day and age, that anyone would even consider turning a lake into a dump for mine tailings!! Where is this country's leadership?
# 1,085:
2:30 pm PDT, Oct 3,Mary-Lou Warren, Canada
It is time we stopped treating this planet as if we intend to be the last generation to use it. I have children and grandchildren and want them to have lakes, not mine tailings to visit!
# 1,084:
1:39 pm PDT, Oct 3,Doreen Bakstad, Canada
i swim in lakes. animals and people drink from lakes. Fish live in lakes. Why is this important? Shouldn't even be a question.
# 1,083:
12:08 pm PDT, Oct 3,Dan Morrison, Canada
# 1,082:
10:53 am PDT, Oct 3,Gerald and Lesley Ozero, Canada
Make the mining companies pay for and be responsible for containing and dealing with their own waste. Take Section Two OUT so that our lakes and rivers will be available to future generations FOREVER. Mining: maybe. Killing lakes and rivers and nearby land and groundwater: never.
# 1,081:
8:08 pm PDT, Sep 23,Lenny Dykstra, Canada
# 1,080:
4:40 am PDT, Sep 23,Name not displayed, Canada
My concern is that due processes are not going to be followed. You read the article and hear "if this.....and if this...then everything should be fine" Too much money at stake for people to care about things that will probably never affect them. I don't trust human nature to do right by nature.
# 1,079:
12:58 am PDT, Sep 23,Cory Trepanier, Canada
Shocked when I found out our government is using our lakes as dumping grounds. Totally irresponsible, and opens the potential o occur across this beautiful land.
# 1,078:
11:34 am PDT, Sep 22,Oso Blanco Defence Commi, Texas
# 1,077:
2:28 pm PDT, Sep 21,Simos Tarabatzis, Greece
# 1,076:
2:31 pm PDT, Sep 11,JOANNE ANTOINE, Canada
Our lakes are all connected..it is important to keep them clean and have a good supply of fish in them for our generations and our future generations..we need water to survive so lets clean up our lakes already polluted and keep others clear of pollution.
# 1,075:
1:27 pm PDT, Sep 8,Wendy Sheppard, Canada
# 1,074:
11:56 am PDT, Sep 8,Donald MacDonald, Canada
To allow this virtually criminal pollution so cheapskate mining companies can make a few more dollars at the nations expense is wholly unacceptable.
# 1,073:
11:14 am PDT, Sep 5,Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 1,072:
9:08 am PDT, Sep 5,Jaime Cammarata, RD, Pennsylvania
# 1,071:
9:31 am PDT, Sep 4,Ronald Mcisaac, Canada
# 1,070:
6:49 pm PDT, Sep 1,Carol-Ann Crew, Canada
A tailing pond contains a chemical soup and should be disposed of properly, not in a lake or other depression in the ground. Lakes are naturally fractured and chemicals can seep into the ground water. Aquifers can go hundreds of miles and these chemicals could ultimately end up in alot of people's drinking water. Alot of sick people means alot of cost to our healthcare system. If the government allows lakes to be used as tailing ponds so that the American mining companies can make more money, Canadian taxpayers will just foot the bill for the cleanup in the future. It is not right and if you allow this to happen, you can ensure I will personally convince 100 people that voted Harper will never vote Conservative again.
# 1,069:
5:29 am PDT, Sep 1,Gisel Rodriguez Vale, Puerto Rico
# 1,068:
3:03 am PDT, Sep 1,Muris Smajic, Canada
I love nature. Let's keep it healthy. You wouldn't kill a person, so don't kill the nature, said Muris.
# 1,067:
12:55 am PDT, Aug 29,Keone Haley, Florida
# 1,066:
7:02 am PDT, Aug 26,Shahbaz Khan, Canada
# 1,065:
4:35 pm PDT, Aug 25,Name not displayed, Canada
Citizens care about the environment. Only the mining industry wants our lakes to be turned into dumping sites. Only they benefit. I'd rather see a slower economy than see our beautiful environment destroyed. The mining industry controls politicians, not the citizens of this country. It's so sad.
# 1,064:
2:34 pm PDT, Aug 25,Brook Ewert, Canada
Fresh water and preserved natural environments are proving more and more important to the future of all species on this planet, including us. Dumping toxic waste into fragile ecosystems is one of the stupidest things i have ever been witness to. If things like this occur in this country, the Canadian government should be over-ruled and removed from power so that smarter people with a stronger sense of long term sustainability can be installed.
# 1,063:
1:47 pm PDT, Aug 25,Samantha Raftery, Canada
How can you not foresee what will happen with our water? Why aren't these mining companies made to clean up their own messes? Potable water for everyone is dwindling from our greed for the almighty bottom line. Sometimes wild spaces and the creatures that dwell in them are far more precious than mining companies lining their deep pockets. Way past time for you to stand up for our environment (what's left of it) and the animals who make their homes there. Our earth is NOT our private garbage dump!
# 1,062:
10:47 am PDT, Aug 25,Bashar Aziz, California
The lakes are a vital part of the ecosystem. Dumping into them would disrupt all the ecosystems and the cities that border it including Toronto.
# 1,061:
10:37 am PDT, Aug 25,Name not displayed, Canada
i cant believe anyone would ever sell a lake to become a dump site, let alone more than one! disgusting
# 1,060:
3:01 pm PDT, Aug 24,Name not displayed, Canada
It's time to stop the senseless subsidies of toxin-spewing industries which operate at the expense of the ailing environment and the health of Canadians. They should build artificial ponds for the storage of mine waste instead of dumping the toxins into pristine lakes and ponds. This country should be progressive not regressive ! Its time to embrace alternative energies to create jobs. Enough with the false economic blackmail arguments from archaic, environmentally destructive industries and the heartless, mindless politicians with personal agendas, who embrace them.
# 1,059:
12:07 pm PDT, Aug 24,Arthur Law, Canada
With the windfall profits within the mining industry and other natural resources, they should be mandated to extract their products in a safe and reliable way. We know they can certainly support it financially.
# 1,058:
10:58 am PDT, Aug 24,Lorraine Leslie, Canada
Why would you destroy any of Canada's beautiful lakes, and pollute this environment in such a way?
There must be an alternative.
# 1,057:
6:32 pm PDT, Aug 21,Karen Kempt, Canada
# 1,056:
10:56 am PDT, Aug 21,Jessica Belyk, Canada
# 1,055:
8:25 am PDT, Aug 19,Name not displayed, Canada
Save our wetlands. should we not protect them... think of the next generations and our impact on them.
# 1,054:
12:05 pm PDT, Aug 17,Ilke Aksu, Turkey
# 1,053:
12:46 am PDT, Aug 17,Diane McCarthy, Illinois
# 1,052:
4:35 pm PDT, Aug 13,Blu AbbeyCat, Pennsylvania
Please find another way.There is more then (one) solution to this problem..please don't be nearsighted.
# 1,051:
10:28 am PDT, Aug 11,Emily Duggan, Canada
Canada's fresh water lakes are a vital resource and cannot be turned into industrial waste dumps. Mining companies have already done so much harm, this must be stopped.
