Mba sets out to convince US, other province to sign accord saving Lake Winnipeg

WINNIPEG – Manitoba says it will try to persuade three provinces and three northern U.S. states to sign an accord to save Lake Winnipeg.

Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh says Canada’s — quote — “sixth great lake” is one of the most threatened lakes in the world.

Lake Winnipeg is being threatened by huge algae blooms — some so large they can be seen from space — which feed partially off pollution that flows into the lake.

Mackintosh says half of the water flowing into the lake comes from Manitoba and the rest comes from nine other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States.

Mackintosh says it won’t be easy to convince everyone to clean up local waterways, but he would like to see an accord signed in the next few years.

Henry Venema with the International Institute for Sustainable Development says action must be taken now to save the lake.