The need for integrated linkages and long-term monitoring of mercury in Canada.

A nation-wide ecosystem science network for Canada was formed in 1994. At that time, mercury was a re-emerging issue in Canada and the Coordinating Office for the network sought collaboration to assess the issue. The key mechanisms by which the network has added value in addressing this issue are: 1) Information Dissemination, the network has organised, facilitated and co-hosted a number of regional. national and international mercury events (meetings, conferences and workshops) which have served to bring the expertise together, the network also disseminates information on it's web page. and the Coordinating Office hosts an annual National Science Conference: 2) Collaborative Mercury Monitoring, network partners advocated the need for a single hemispheric mercury network which resulted in the development of a compatible Canada-U.S. mercury deposition network, which may also be expanded into Mexico, and 3) Environmental Reporting, the network has collaborated with others to report on current mercury findings through initiatives such as the 1998 Northeast States and Eastern Canadian Mercury Study, a 1999 Mercury Case Study and is presently a partner in the University of Quebec's proposal to form a Collaborative Mercury Ecosystem Research Network in Canada.