Mr. Speaker, our beloved Lake Winnipeg is choking to death, grievously injured by generations of human ignorance and neglect and pollution ranging from mercury from pulp mills to nitrogen and phosphorus from chemical agriculture.
This massive and magnificent body of water may not survive its latest indignity, the Devils Lake diversion, which diverts water from the northern United States into the Red River and Lake Winnipeg.
The inter basin transfer of water is a crime against nature. It offends the natural order. It is scientifically negligent and wholly irresponsible. Additional chemical pollution, combined with the risk of invasive species entering our Manitoba aquatic ecosystem, may be the end of one of the world's great freshwater lakes.
I urge our Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs to use every diplomatic measure possible to stop the governor of North Dakota from opening the floodgates and the Devils Lake diversion and killing our great Lake Winnipeg.