Canada's Great Lakes Aquarium

News

July 28 , 2004 Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation has finally received the long required pledges for continued financing from the 3 shareholder levels of government ( City, Prov.,Fed.). Several projects can now proceed.

July 17, 2004 Canada Marine Discovery Centre opens in Hamiton, Ontario. Initial visitorship numbers show a lot of interest in the subject with 500 to 1000 visitors a day! Displays highlight National Parks and the Great Lakes, especially the Hamilton area.

June 2004 Scheduled completion date for Marine Discovery Center, Hamilton, Ontario

November 2001 Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation established

February 1997 Letter of intent signed to situate aquarium at Ontario Place

November 1996 Aquarium proposed for site in basement of CBC building

October 1996 Aquarium proposed for site adjacent to Eaton Centre

September 1989 Great Lakes Science Centre, Burlington, Ontario feasibilty study released

December 1984 Toronto Aquarium Feasibilty Study released

Harbour Cleanup in Hamilton
Swimming in Hamilton Harbour was unthinkable but now people are swimming in the harbour because environmentalists, steel mill executives and other citizens from different walks of life decided to work on a shared problem. They are guided by conscience, experience, science and technical skill rather than casting blame.

Hamilton Harbour, like many areas throughout the Great Lakes Basin, suffered pollution from municipal, industrial and farming activities for decades. Anti-pollution regulations and improved treatment facilities were put in place in the 1970s resulting in positive progress.

The most recent report on Hamilton Harbour indicates that by last year fish and wildlife habitat restoration has made real progress. With the construction of the carp barrier at Cootes Paradise, there has been tremendous improvement in fish populations as a result of fish habitat restoration.

Technologies such as Hamilton-Wentworth's combined sewer overflow tanks retain sewage and storm water that mix together during heavy rains until it can be properly treated. For the first time in 50 years the beaches are safe for swimmers.

The most important reason for the continuing success of the harbour's rehabilitation is that government, business and industry and the local community are working together to overcome obstacles.

Environment Canada and Ontario's Ministry of the Environment launched the initiative to develop RAPs for Great Lakes greatest problems. Different interest groups were invited to sit with federal, provincial and municipal representatives to draft the action plan. The thinking behind this multi-party planning process was that it would bring fresh information and ideas.

By looking at the issues from different perspectives it was easier for people to recognize their own roles in creating the problems, accept responsibility and see how they could contribut to the improvement plan.

Improving public access to the harbourfront raised public interest in the area and it built concern for and commitment to the harbour's well-being in the long term.

Activities such as habitat restoration, rehabilitation of degraded shorelines, and the development of nature trails positively affected social health and well-being and fostered a greater appreciation of the Great Lakes.

Work continues dealing with problems and preventing future ones. The relationships formed and the experiences of those working to better Hamilton Harbour are assets for ensuring both an ecologically and economically sound future.

Table 1

This table depicts the capacity and size of recently completed aquaria along with the CGLA