Saving Lake Winnipeg - a forum

The Manitoba Liberal Party hosted a forum yesterday - bringing people from widely diverse backgrounds together to focus on how to save Lake Winnipeg.

There was very valuable input and discussions on many aspects of the Lake and approaches that can be taken to save Lake Winnipeg. Farmers contributed their recommendations emphasizing the need to focus on what will really make a difference rather than providing endless regulations many of which do not yet have a sound scientific basis.

Jennifer Lukovich is to be congratulated for her efforts together with Walt Nilssen in co-chairing and organizing the forum. Well done Jennifer! Bruce Benson did an excellent job as Master of Ceremonies. Thanks to the many scientists and others who presented valuable results and ideas from their work and their research. A full report will be presented in due course.

John Hamerton - a tribute

Thursday this week, I attended a memorial service for John Hamerton, a good friend and an incredible person.

John Hamerton was for much of his life a world leader in cytogenetics - the study of human chromosomes. He led the way in determining that as humans we have 46 chromosomes. His research was important in laying the basic scientific foundations for bone marrow transplantation, and for understanding the inheritance of a number of genetic disorders. John was the founding head of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Manitoba.

In his later years, John and his wife Irene took up sheep farming, and used his knowledge of genetics in breeding high quality sheep stock. John was present at many agricultural meetings and served for a period as President of the Manitoba Sheep Association.

John will be missed. My condolences to family and friends.