Funding for experimental lakes area brings stability, opportunity for research

Recently announced federal funding will bring some stability to a scientific research facility in the Kenora area.

The Trudeau government is spending $1.7 million over the next two years on environmental research at the Experimental Lakes Area, the northwestern Ontario scientific facility once threatened with closure by the former Harper government.

• Experimental Lakes Area research station officially saved

Experimental Lakes Area executive director Matthew McCandless says the funding from Ottawa is a huge boost to important research.

"There are persistent [environmental] issues around the world and around Canada," McCandless said, "I mean just two weeks ago, we heard about a pipeline discharge into the Saskatchewan River, so those are the types of things that make it very important that we continue to research freshwater in Canada."

If the ELA could achievea $4 million annual budget, McCandless said money could also go into better community and academic engagement, essentially doing more outreach with community groups and education with university and high school field courses.

• Feds announce cash for Experimental Lakes Area

Jane Kirk, a researcher with Environment and Climate Change Canada, said the ELA has been important to her research into mercury in aquatic ecosystems.

"The ability to conduct whole ecosystem experiments at this facility is obviously unique and allows this facility to better understand both national, and international threats to the environment," Kirk said.

Using the ELA allows scientists to do their work in the context of an entire ecosystem, instead of in isolation in a lab, providing a more cost-effective and realistic environment for experiments, she said.

Since this particular groupof lakes hasbeen monitored for so long, there's a trove of information available, Kirk added.

"I think it's fantastic that there's stability financially for this system," shesaid.