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Mark Mattson

@waterkeepermark.bsky.social

President Swim Drink Fish. Former Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. Lives in Great Lakes St Lawrence River watershed. Biinaagami

1,432 Followers  |  1,057 Following  |  302 Posts  |  Joined: 13.01.2025
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Posts by Mark Mattson (@waterkeepermark.bsky.social)

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Beyond the Dinosaurs: How Distributed Energy Quietly Changed Canada’s Power System In the summer of 2026, a strange thing is now possible in Ontario: You can lock your door, leave for two months, and come home not just without an electricity bill, but with a credit.

Lots of questions about options in Ontario for a modern energy plan that protects the province and protects the environment. Here is a take beyond the nuclear vs fossil fuel debates open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

02.03.2026 18:36 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Beyond the Dinosaurs: How Distributed Energy Quietly Changed Canada’s Power System In the summer of 2026, a strange thing is now possible in Ontario: You can lock your door, leave for two months, and come home not just without an electricity bill, but with a credit.

open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

02.03.2026 18:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Before we commit to more nuclear expansion on Lake Ontario β€” let’s explore the need, alternatives, costs and risks of all options. Ontario is smarter than allowing power, politics & influence dictate our future. open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

28.02.2026 15:15 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Gord Downie and The Sadies 'Louisianna' Gord Downie plays Lake Ontario Waterkeeper a special tune.

Love the Gord Downie Sadie’s new album. Awesome. Recall many of those live shows fondly. Around 2008, Gord & the Sadie’s recorded a couple Randy Newman classics for Swim Drink Fish Music. Louisiana on.soundcloud.com/s3ObjiIYcSjK... Burn On on.soundcloud.com/9ev7CWBa2cVz...

28.02.2026 14:17 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Ten of millions in advertising behind plan to use public money to build new nuclear plants on our Great Lakes without our informed consent. The public needs an accounting. open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

28.02.2026 13:53 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Vanishing Guardrail: How Ontario Hollowed Out Environmental Assessment In 1976, Ontario was a global leader.

open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

27.02.2026 18:53 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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The Vanishing Guardrail: How Ontario Hollowed Out Environmental Assessment In 1976, Ontario was a global leader.

So many big energy, transportation mining projects in Ontario and Canada being proposed yet so little known about public process for decision making. Once admired around the work, let’s discuss the vanishing guardrail. @swimdrinkfish open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

27.02.2026 18:19 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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At the Water’s Edge: My Birthday Reflections on Being a Waterkeeper β€” Swim Drink Fish Last week, I celebrated another year on this beautiful planet, in this remarkable country. Birthdays have a way of making you pauseβ€”of taking stock of where you are, and where you’re headed. Especiall...

Not surprisingly, turning 64 has a built in Paul McCartney soundtrack. However, there is wisdom to be deciphered as well. At the Water’s Edge: My Birthday Reflections on Being a Waterkeeper β€” @swimdrinkfish www.swimdrinkfish.ca/blog/at-the-...

26.02.2026 21:50 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Q: What is the secret to ensuring your river, lake or seashore remains healthy, vibrant and ecologically intact? A: practice & and work. Here is your checklist & clean water regime. ⁦β€ͺ@swimdrinkfish‬⁩ ⁦β€ͺ@Waterkeeper‬⁩

26.02.2026 14:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Proximity to nuclear power plants associated with increased cancer mortality | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health U.S. counties located closer to operational nuclear power plants have higher rates of cancer mortality than those located farther away, according to a new Harvard Chan School study.

Study on increased risk of cancer near nuclear facilities. Canada? Ontario? Great Lakes states provinces countries? Any comment? hsph.harvard.edu/news/proximi...

25.02.2026 14:43 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks Dave!

25.02.2026 00:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Wesleyville, Lake Ontario and the Price of Silence I drove past Wesleyville yesterday.

open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

24.02.2026 23:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Wesleyville, Lake Ontario and the Price of Silence I drove past Wesleyville yesterday.

Wesleyville. Lake Ontario. Nuclear. open.substack.com/pub/waterkee...

24.02.2026 16:32 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Heads up Canada. What an awesome game. We lost in end at 3 x 3 and a hot goalie. Maybe we wanted it too much. given taunts from our opponent. That said…hockey keeps educating & making Canadian boys and girls wealthy, healthy & wise. Still our game. πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦β™₯οΈπŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ best

22.02.2026 16:26 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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All eyes on Italy this morning

22.02.2026 12:53 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Turned cold again today. Hiding behind the barn to block the north wind

21.02.2026 17:36 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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It is only a hockey game; but, it feels a lot bigger. Pulling it out of the fire - 2 games in a row……incredible. Go Canada Go. Our country. Our team. Our flag

20.02.2026 19:26 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Thanks everyone for all the nice notes and well wishes. Mean a great deal. Grateful. Look
Forward to seeing many of you this year for work, play or just hanging. Best

20.02.2026 01:55 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Toronto is a sunrise city. Waking up to 64 years on this beautiful planet. Grateful

19.02.2026 11:37 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Start a Virtuous Cycle: Go Swim β€” Swim Drink Fish For years, we at  Swim Drink Fish  have been guided by a data-driven mission: sampling water, reporting on quality, identifying hidden and not-so-hidden beaches, and sharing clear, trusted i...

How does swimmable water become a leading environmental indicator of sustainability and clean water? www.swimdrinkfish.ca/blog/start-a...

18.02.2026 21:06 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Ontario’s 2026 Nuclear Expansion: Why a Public Review Is Warranted Ontario is at an important decision point.

For sake of everyone in Great Lakes Watershed and across Canada, it is critical that Ontario undertake a full & transparent public hearing into energy plan. open.substack.com/pub/waterkee... @wkalliance.bsky.social

17.02.2026 18:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Leaving Wolfe Island this morning for Toronto. @swimdrinkfish

17.02.2026 14:42 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Dave Bidini: A love letter to winter and frozen things Winter is rough, but thankfully, Toronto's rinks aren’t.

Still living in limelight of last weeks Wolfe Island Lake Ontario Cup where Waterkeepers Lake Ontario Waterkeeper team prevailed? www.thestar.com/opinion/cont... @swimdrinkfish

14.02.2026 17:52 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Happy Valentines Day β™₯️β™₯️β™₯️ Thankful for all my friends. Special thanks to all at @swimdrinkfish @biinaagami @waterkeeper @lowaterkeeper @cangeo for all the love you give year round to Great Lakes St Lawrence and all our rivers lakes and shorelines.

14.02.2026 16:28 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Getting my work, run and visits in early this morning so can watch the Canada Olympic hockey game. Sun and snow forecast for long weekend. Hope everyone gets out and enjoys. @swimdrinkfish

13.02.2026 16:22 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Olympic mornings β€” but still need get out for break and visit with my friends up the road. Go Canada β€” the hockey is going to be amazing

12.02.2026 17:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Living at the Barricades - Lose Your Illusions - 2009 - 01 - 20 Mark and Krystyn are joined this week by Tragically Hip frontman and co-applicant Gord Downie for a look back at the Lafarge Alternative Fuels Project case in Bath, ON. After being denied leave to ap

Re-discovered conversation with Gord Downie about environmental
advocacy & advice to others for protecting their love of water. With powerful push for new nuclear plants on Lake Ontario today β€” time to β€œLose Your Illusions” on.soundcloud.com/w3IOJMaqq6Nv...

11.02.2026 13:41 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Sunset at 530 tonight. Good to see it moving so much further over the River

09.02.2026 23:59 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Swim Drink Fish Waterkeeper team wins the Lake Ontario Cup. Amazing. In the old green jerseys too

07.02.2026 23:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Gibsons is about to level up! Armour's Beach could get a major facelift! Town pursues major waterfront renewal with $4M grant application and early design work complete

Connecting to water is first step to protecting water www.coastreporter.net/local-news/a... @swimdrinkfish

07.02.2026 13:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0