Members of the Raisin-South Nation Source Protection Committee (SPC) have supported a proposal for a new inter-jurisdictional committee empowered to protect water quality, quantity and the ecological integrity of the Ottawa River.
Meeting at the Legion Hall in Chesterville recently, the SPC considered a letter from Janet Stavinga, chair of the Mississippi-Rideau SPC, pointing out a gap in coverage. The146,000 square-km Ottawa River watershed (larger than New Brunswick), which overlaps Eastern Ontario and West Quebec, is not currently monitored by an SPC. The region encompasses countless rivers, lakes, streams and drainage areas.
Constituted under the new Clean Water Act, there are 19 such committees across Ontario mandated to implement improvements in water quality protection over the next five years.
In her letter, Stavinga noted the health of the Ottawa River watershed is beyond the scope of the four SPCs in greater Eastern Ontario – Mississippi-Rideau, Raisin-South Nation, Cataraqui and Quinte – despite the fact they work closely together. Mississippi-Rideau covers a mere 6 per cent of the Ottawa River impact area while Raisin-South Nation includes only 4 per cent.
At the urging of Raisin-South Nation chair Claude Cousineau, who has discussed the situation with Stavinga, members endorsed a motion from their neighbouring SPC to establish an inter-jurisdictional committee that would be responsible for coordinated research, collaborative development of decision-making tools, and “coherent and consistent policies, programs and public outreach initiatives for the river.”
Representation on the committee should come from the governments of Ontario, Quebec and Canada, municipalities on both sides of the river, relevant conservation and hydro authorities, industry, and non-governmental organizations. The first task of such a committee would be to develop terms of reference.
In her letter, Stavinga revealed that the Ontario Ministry of Environment Source Protection Programs Branch is working to have the issue placed on an agenda of the Interprovincial Cabinet Ministers’ Forum.
And earlier this year, Ottawa council considered a motion on the effectiveness of source water protection efforts for communities along the Ottawa River given that similar efforts aren’t underway in Quebec. Referred back to city staff for further review, the motion spoke to the need of a coordinated approach along the river.
“Claude, we have a tremendous opportunity to ensure Eastern Ontario delivers a strong, cohesive message to the Government of Ontario as to the importance of working in partnership with the Province of Quebec and other partners to ensure the long term health and integrity of the Ottawa River,” Stavinga concluded. (T.V.D.)