TELL YOUR MP TO SAVE THE HUMBER
Highway 413 will contaminate the headwaters of the Humber River and threaten 29 federally-identified species at risk including the Redside Dace.
Tell your MP to say no to Hwy 413!
TELL YOUR MP TO SAVE THE HUMBER
Get out on the Humber Guide
Get a free copy of our summer guide to exploring the Humber River and tips to take action to protect it.
GET THE HUMBER RIVER GUIDE
THE HUMBER RIVER IS IN DANGER
As an urban river, the Humber is already burdened with road run-off and pollution.
HUMBER RIVER HEALTH CARD
Ride (or walk) to Protect the Humber River!
On August 18th, join Environmental Defence for a bike and chalk along the Humber River Recreational Trail to raise awareness about Highway 413's impacts on the Humber River.
BIKE THE HUMBER EVENT
Ontarians are rallying to say #HandsOffTheHumber and fight the provincial government's attacks on our beloved rivers!
The Humber River and the cool, clear streams that feed it are under threat! As an urban river, the Humber is already burdened with road run-off and pollution. Highway 413 will contaminate the headwaters of the Humber River and threaten 29 federally-identified species at risk including the Redside Dace.
Tell your MP that you need them to stand up for the Humber River. They must conduct a full federal Impact Assessment of Hwy 413 and use the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act and other federal legislation to protect the river.
The Humber River is a Canadian Heritage River that draws water from over 700 smaller waterways spreading from Lake St. George in York Region and up into the Niagara Escarpment in the Mono Mills area of Caledon.
As the Humber enters more densely populated areas of the GTA it brings with it an abundance of fish, birds and mammals that travel up and down the river corridor. It cools the city, and the trees along its banks bring much needed shade and tranquility. Despite passing straight through an urban area of nearly 6 million people, salmon still run up the Humber River every fall.
But Highway 413 puts it at risk.
The destructive path of Highway 413
Highway 413 (highlighted in red) will cut straight through pristine areas of Caledon and York Region bringing with it more concrete, more pollution and more sprawl. The small waterways that feed a river are like the roots of a tree. Highway 413 will be a direct assault on the Humber River’s roots.
Increased urbanization is the biggest threat to the Humber River
Highway 413
Highway 413 development will threaten biodiversity and the overall functionality of the ecosystem. That means, it’ll be harder for the ecosystem to provide clean air and water, climate change mitigation and outdoor recreational activities.
Highway 413
Road Salts
Road salt pollution threatens the Humber River and the freshwater creatures that live in its waters. Too much road salt runs off roads and transforms cool, clear waters into toxic environments, and negatively impacts the overall health of freshwater ecosystems.
Road Salts
Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution threatens the animals that live in or on the water, like fish, birds and amphibians. They can eat, suffocate or become entangled in plastic trash. What’s more, larger plastic items can degrade into smaller plastic fragments and “microplastics”, which have been linked to reproductive and behavioral problems, and other health issues.
Plastic Pollution
Building on a history of advocacy for the Humber River
For many years, community members and grassroots groups have been working to protect the Humber River.
We want to acknowledge the past and ongoing work of Humber River Pals, Humber River Calling, Etobicoke Climate Action, Parkdale High Park for Climate Action, Green13, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
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