Maria Canton
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Aug 21/00) - Northern peoples depend on what the land and water provide which is why countries must work together to eliminate harmful pollutants, said Nunavut's MP last week.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell was speaking at a joint press conference with federal Environment Minister David Anderson who announced a $20 million initiative to stop harmful persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

"The closer people live to the land, the more of an effect things like POPs have on them," said Karetak-Lindell. "When you catch fish from the river to feed your family, the risk is right on your doorstep.

"We are especially gratified to see Canadians pushing forward with the initiative to stop POPs at the source, which is in developing countries."

POPs are toxic substances, such as DDT and PCBs, often transported vast distances by various weather patterns and they tend to concentrate in colder climates.

Water and food sources may be contaminated with POPs and can be passed from animals to people, then from a mother to a child through breastfeeding.

Despite the fact that POPs have been banned in Canada, studies have shown that the number of harmful contaminants found in Northern women's breastmilk are nine times higher than those set by Environment Canada.

The allocation of $20 million puts Canada first in starting an international movement to build a fund to deal with POPs.

Anderson says he is proud to have Canada lead the way and expects other countries to lend their support and dollars.

"Canada is tackling this problem head-on," said Anderson. "We're the first country to commit money but we expect and devoutly hope other nations will do the same.

"By working together we can help developing countries break their dependence on harmful chemicals and help them make safer choices."

Anderson did acknowledge, however, that support from industrialized countries is absolutely essential to the success of the initiative.

The Canada POPs fund will be overseen by the World Bank. Money will be given to POPs-related projects designed for developing countries.