Ontario has officially committed to cover the cost of running the Experimental Lakes Area, but still hasn’t reached an agreement with the federal government to take over the facility.
Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources David Orazietti announced in Winnipeg Monday that the province would provide up to $2 million a year in funding for the facility near Vermilion Bay. It’s the first solid commitment the province has made to the 40-year-old facility since the federal government cut its funding.
Although Ontario has committed to the funding, there has been no word from the federal government about the province formally taking over the facility.
In a letter to the Editor, Orazietti said they’re involved in constructive discussions with the federal government and the International Institute for Sustainable Development.
“Our talks are touching on a wide range of topics related to this critical research facility,” he said in the letter. “Our government is committed to providing up to $2 million per year to the IISD into keeping the ELA running.”
MPP Michael Gravelle (Lib. Thunder Bay – Superior North) said he was proud of the announcement, but clarified that it wasn’t something that was new as Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne had already spoke about committing to providing support to the facility.
He called it a clear signal that the province wants to keep the facility open.
“Discussions are still ongoing with the federal government and IISD to get the agreement in place,” he said.
“I’m hoping and confident will get an agreement in place soon. There’s still some issues that need to be resolved before an agreement can be put in place. (The funding) isn’t just for this year. It would be an ongoing commitment.”
He said he believed the operational costs to run the facility were closer to $2 million.
Independent MP Bruce Hyer praised the province for stepping up to the plate but also had harsh criticism for the federal government not reaching an agreement yet.
“The province is doing a good job on this one,” he said. “They really see the value in the ELA.
The ball is now in the Conservative’s court and Kenora MP Greg Rickford. I think the holdup has been the Conservative government and Rickford. We’re going to find out now if they really believe in science.”
Council of Canadians Thunder Bay Chapter’s Tom and Ruth Cook said they were pleased to hear the province was committing to the ELA and took things a step further by offering ongoing support.
Ruth Cook said they’re still concerned that there’s still no agreement between all the parties. Even with the funding in place, unless there’s an agreement the ELA will close in the fall, she said.
“There has to be an agreement between the funders, the operators and both provinces,” she said. “The costs have never actually been $2 million. They really want the facility to be closed and what I’m afraid is happening is that (the federal government) is trying to download all of the liability to the province and IISD. That liability is just too big for anyone other than someone like the federal government.”
Tom Cook said the issue lies with the $40 million liability for clearing the facility away. He said the federal government was willing to save $2 million to spend $40 million to demolish the facility.
“You have to ask yourself why,” he said. “Why is it that they want it demolished that badly? That $40 million liability is going to scare off everybody and the feds get to close it down. For them to spend $40 million is a lot different than the province spending $40 million.”
Diane Orihel, the founder of the Coalition to the Save Experimental Lakes Area, said the big question that hasn’t been answered yet is who will be taking on the liability. She said she remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached by the September deadline.
“I don’t really want to criticize the Ontario government in anyway because they’re the good Samaritans in the ELA story,” she said. “They are picking up the slack where the federal government has dropped the ball. The federal government was the ones that decided the ELA wasn’t important and cut its funding. It has been 14 months. It’s time to come to a solution.”
