Northern Ontario research facility for sale for $1

If you have $1, you can apparently be the the owner of a world-renowned research facility put on sale by our federal government.

According to Mia Rabson of the Winnipeg Free Press, that was the price quoted to a constituent by Conservative MP Joyce Bateman for the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) facility in northern Ontario.

ELA was founded in the 1950s as a unique program conducting environmental research on entire aquatic ecosystems using 58 lakes in northwestern Ontario. Scientists deliberately pollute the lakes with various substances such as mercury, phosphorus or estrogen and see what the impact is on lakes and aquatic species of human behaviour.

ELA's research has led to groundbreaking discoveries and has resulted in environmental policy changes around the world.

Because it's no longer aligned with their priorities, however, the Tories recently announced their intent to shut the $2 million/year program and transfer the research facility to a university or private business.

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Many have lobbied the Conservatives to reverse the decision, but to no avail.

"This facility will be very attractive to [the new operator], especially given recent investments, and the federal government is committed to offering a transfer of ownership for a nominal fee of $1," Bateman wrote to a concerned voter in her riding.

"Attractive" is a gross understatement.

The price tag of $1, according to Rabson, will net the buyer 40,000 square feet of research and living space in 19 buildings. Ottawa has invested $3.5 million in the buildings in the last 10 years, including $850,000 for three new labs as part of the Economic Action Plan in 2009.

NDP MP Pat Martin said it's fiscally reckless for the government to be selling such a valuable asset for a pittance.

"They just dumped millions into it and they're willing to hand it over for a buck?" he questioned.

Any bidders?

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