THE MOTIVES EBI was launched in September 1997, following Energy Probe Research Foundation's volunteer assistance to the Sierra Legal Defence Fund in investigating a landfill site leaching contaminants into the Cataraqui River in Kingston. EPRF recognized the need for well organized, experienced investigative resources to be available to communities. We also became aware of the need for action exacerbated by the Ontario government's cuts to environmental programs, leading to the substantial dismantling of environmental protection in Ontario: the Ministry of Environment and Energy's budget is down by 42%; all provincial funding to environment groups; the Intervenor Funding Project Act; the funding for "clean" technologies through the Environmental Technologies Program; the drastic cuts to the Ministry of Environment enforcement branch.
	The Ontario government announced in September that it has transferred responsibility for enforcing the powerful Federal Fisheries Act to the federal government. The notice issued read that "the Government of Ontario will no longer be providing enforcement of the habitat provisions of the federal Fisheries Act (Sec. 35)...".
Further, it stated that it: "will no longer be providing mitigation advice on fisheries habitat on behalf of the (federal) Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans." In addition: The federal government cuts to its environmental budget; about 40 %; the lack of environmental inspectors enforcing the Fisheries Act; The extreme risk in Ontario of further deterioration of fish habitat. The Fisheries Act encourages the public to participate in the protection of common resources. EPRF believes that it is time that a group such as EBI be dedicated to this function. For more information: The Gallon Environment Letter of September 8, 1997. Trashing Environmental Protection Ontario's Environmental Deregulation Will Have Multiple Effects on the Great Lakes by Cyrus Mavalwala May 26, 1998 The third report of the Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainability entitled Enforcing Canada's Pollution Laws: the Public Interest must come first was released to the public today. The reports points at the lack of resources available to the insufficient enforcement staff of Environment Canada, outlines deficiencies and conflicts in the Department, and makes clear recommendations for improvements. The Globe and Mail published two articles on this report: May 23, 1998 Ottawa fails on environment: report May 26, 1998 Ministry accused of hiding key data Environmental Indiscretions Globe and Mail, February 25, 1999 Inspectors told to ignore pollution complaints Globe and Mail, February 24, 1999

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