That's so blech, Tony Martin! (photos)

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

*********************** NDP announces action plan for blue-green algae

EDITOR'S NOTE: Reader-submitted photos were taken on Friday at Desbarats Lake

MONTREAL – The federal NDP has announced a three-point action plan to fight the proliferation of blue-green algae in our lakes and rivers reported in many parts of Ontario and Quebec including Desbarats Lake and Twin Lakes on St. Joseph’s Island.

“Sadly, this summer we have seen the devastating effects blue-green algae has on our water,” NDP leader Jack Layton said.

“Harper’s Conservatives have been stunningly silent on this issue," Layton said.

"The NDP took leadership on the question and now we are bringing concrete, efficient solutions to avoid the proliferation of blue-green algae.”

The plan proposes the tabling of a law for the prevention of the proliferation of blue-green algae which would include the provision of compensation to farmers who respect a 10-meter buffer zone and would ban the use of phosphorus in dishwashing detergent.

This would be accompanied by public hearings held in parliamentary committees as well as a public education campaign.

"Blue-green algae has closed some beaches, harmed tourism, and affected the environment,” said Sault MP Tony Martin, here for the NDP summer caucus retreat.

“We want to take action to make sure we don’t have a repeat of the summer of 2007,” Martin said.

The action plan for blue-green algae grew out of consultations with environmentalists and farmers.

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