Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 18/6/2012 (3025 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OTTAWA -- A new research project to test the impact on lakes and rivers of one of the fastest-growing substances in the marketplace is on hold while the Experimental Lakes Area program sits in limbo.

The news is among the latest developments as the lobby effort to save the ELA from government cuts continues. The Manitoba and Ontario governments are joining forces to try to convince Ottawa to change its decision, or at least delay the cuts, which would potentially close down the only research facility in the world performing experiments on entire lakes.

The ELA is a series of 58 lakes near Kenora, along with 40,000 square feet of federally owned lab space and housing facilities for researchers.

Last year, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada granted Trent University $750,000 to do a three-year study on the impact of nanosilver on an entire lake.

Nanosilver is a tiny particle found in more than 300 consumer products, including clothing, bug spray, kids' toys and bandages. Chris Metcalfe, director of the Institute for Freshwater Science at Trent, said nanosilver will be in more than 1,000 products within a few years.

Nanosilver has antibacterial and anti-odour qualities, which is why they are added to things such as athletic gear, socks and underwear.

Early lab tests found they have a negative impact on natural bacteria, fish, shellfish and algae. Metcalfe said the NSERC grant was to take the lab tests out onto a small lake in the ELA to find out what the impact is on an entire aquatic system.

"You can't do that kind of work in the lab," he said.

He said the research on nanosilver has the potential to have the same impact on consumer products as recent ELA research that changed policies to remove phosphorus from soaps.

"Trillions of dollars are going to be made on nanomaterial products, so let's take a step back and spend a few dollars on seeing what the environmental impacts will be."

Last month, the federal government announced it is pulling its $2 million in funding for the ELA next April. A spokeswoman for Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield said the department is "currently exploring options regarding the transfer of the site and hope to complete the transfer by the spring of 2013."

"Our goal is to make sure that important work can continue to be conducted at the site by another party that will benefit from it," said Erin Filliter.

However, Diane Orihel, founder of Save ELA, said the government hasn't responded to any of the letters or concerns raised by those trying to save the ELA.

"As of today, we have not received any response from the government," she said.

Orihel said the March 2013 deadline is "completely unrealistic."

The Manitoba and Ontario governments agree. On June 5, Manitoba Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh and Ontario Environment Minister Jim Bradley wrote jointly to Ashfield and federal Environment Minister Peter Kent, urging them to delay the cancellation of ELA funds.

Mackintosh and Bradley suggested five federal departments -- Fisheries, Environment, Natural Resources, Health and Agriculture -- jointly fund the program and that they form a committee with provinces and universities to develop a five-year research agenda for the site.

Mackintosh would not say whether Manitoba is willing to put any money on the table to save the program. The ELA is located in Ontario but the scientists and the administrators who work for it are all based in Winnipeg.

Asked several times, he would only say Manitoba's No. 1 goal is getting the decision either reversed entirely, or at least deferred for an extra year.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca