Collaborative Action Needed to Get Toronto Off Environmental "Black List"

TORONTO, Ontario -- November 16, 2001 -- Toronto's waterfront and watersheds have been on a "black list" of Areas of Concern around the Great Lakes since 1987. Getting Toronto off that list is the focus of the 4th Annual Clean Waters Summit hosted by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, a Toronto-based charitable organization, on Nov. 16th at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel and Nov. 17th at the Radisson Hotel, Queen's Quay.

"Although there has been some successful clean-up since 1987, Toronto's waterfront and watersheds are still seriously degraded," said Beth Benson, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust. In its 2001 progress report on the Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan, Clean Waters, Healthy Habitats, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust cites that bacterial contamination still frequently makes much of the waterfront, as well as the rivers and creeks, unfit for swimming and other water contact recreation. Harmful contaminants affect the health of fish and wildlife, and restrict human consumption of the fish. Habitats for fish and wildlife have been reduced to degraded fragments, both along the waterfront and in the related watersheds. Toxic sediments restrict the disposal of harbor materials dredged from the harbor to confined disposal sites. Litter and rotting algae make the water's edge unpleasant in many locations.

"These issues are a serious impediment to the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative," said Benson. "With the recent establishment by the three levels of government of the Corporation that will lead this initiative, it is timely to focus attention on the priority actions needed to provide a clean, green, healthy environment. A dedicated, cooperative approach is essential to provide the high quality of life that is needed to attract new business investments and meet the needs of residents and tourists alike."

The Clean Waters Summit, organized by the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, addresses these needs with a creative program that provides expert information as well as opportunities for community discussion and input. More than 150 members of community groups, elected officials and staff of all levels of government, representatives from foundations, consultants, and waterfront residents are registered for both days.

The Summit includes the 2001 Toronto and Region Remedial Action Plan Awards of Excellence ceremony, at which schools, businesses, agencies and community groups will be recognized for their outstanding contributions in the areas of water quality, habitat development and outreach and education.

The Clean Waters Summit is a partnership of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Environment Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Environment, The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the City of Toronto, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the George Lunan Foundation, and TD Canada Trust Friends of the Environment Foundation.

For more information, or to arrange interviews, call:

Leslie Hetherington, Tel: (416) 724-7677, (416) 948-7160 or
Stephanie Bolton, Tel: (416) 737-6935.

Experts from Boston Tour Toronto Waterfront, Friday, November 16, 2001, Eastern Beaches, 1:15 pm (click here to download pdf)

Clean Waters for Toronto's Waterfront. International Exchange. Presentations and Discussion with Experts from Boston, Friday, November 16, 2001, Hotel Marriott Eaton Centre, 3-6 pm (click here to download pdf)

Clean Waters for Toronto's Waterfront. 4th Annual Clean Waters Summit. Public Panel Discussion and Workshop, Saturday, November 17, 2001, Radisson Admiral Hotel, 9 am - 4 pm (click here to download pdf)

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