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Minister of Environment Praises MPP Rick Nicholls for Handling of Fish Kill
September 12, 2012
(QUEEN’S PARK) – Today the Minister of Environment, Jim Bradley, praised Chatham-Kent-Essex MPP Rick Nicholls for his handling of the massive fish kill along the shores of Lake Erie.
Responding to an unfounded partisan NDP attack, Bradley applauded Nicholls for the constant communication between their two offices and that of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
MPP Nicholls has “been on top of the issue” and is “working hard” in determining the source of the fish kill and in assisting with the clean-up, stated Bradley.
Since the incident occurred over the recent Labour Day weekend, MPP Nicholls has been unwavering in his commitment to finding the cause of the incident. He has been in contact with governmental agencies at all levels – something that Minister Bradley applauded – and has attended briefings with medical doctors and scientists in Chatham-Kent-Essex.
Along with the provincial and federal Ministries of Environment, Nicholls has been in close communication with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Health, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and local health authorities.
Nicholls’ prompt action and handling of this serious situation has drawn attention from US and British media outlets.
While the cause of the incident is still undetermined, Nicholls has used the full powers of his office to not only ensure that no health hazard exists to the people of Chatham-Kent-Essex, but also to investigate all avenues in determining the cause.
The Canadian Coast Guard in conjuncture with the federal Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans is currently in the process of doing research on behalf of Nicholls that could shed light on whether the fish kill was potentially caused by human action.
“Until there is conclusive evidence as to the precise cause, I will continue to work with not only the Ontario Ministry of Environment, but governmental agencies across all levels and with all parties,” stated Nicholls.
