The federal government this week announced an investment of $9.3 million in 26 freshwater projects in the Great Lakes.
The investment, to be distributed over four years, was announced by Julie Dabrusin, who serves as Canada’s Minister of Environment, and Climate Change.
The projects, delivered through Canada Water Agency’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, address various environmental challenges affecting water quality and ecosystem health in the region.
“Freshwater is at the heart of our communities,” stated Dabrusin. “By investing in these community-led projects, we’re taking meaningful steps to restore and protect this vital ecosystem, ensuring clean water.”
For example, the Royal Botanical Gardens will receive $150,000 to “enhance habitat resilience” in Cootes Paradise Marsh in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern through invasive species control, shoreline restoration, and ecological monitoring.
“These wetlands are vital habitats and serve as powerful indicators of regional ecological health,” noted Lindsay Barr, Manager of Ecosystem Stewardship for the Gardens.
The Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, meanwhile, has attracted $1.6M for a project aiming to “improve the climate resilience of Oshawa Second Marsh,” an urban coastal wetland on Lake Ontario.
And the Regional Municipality of Halton will receive $1M to restore two kilometres of shoreline and dune ecosystems at Beachway Park in Burlington using nature-based restoration approaches.
Gary Carr, who serves Halton as Regional Chair, believes that the project will “make Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront Park more resilient to climate change.”
“This project will restore the park’s natural beach and dune system using nature-based solutions that protect the environment while preserving public access,” he says. “By rebuilding eroded dunes, we’re helping to shield the shoreline from erosion and the effects of flooding, high water levels, and storm damage—protecting this special part of our waterfront for today’s community and future generations.”
Protecting and rehabilitating Canada’s freshwater “is vital for both our environmental and human health,” remarked Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington.
“The projects supported today are vital for the viability, protection and sustainability of our freshwater resources,” she stated.
Since launching the Water Agency in 2023, the Government of Canada has been following a plan of investing $650 million over 10 years through the Freshwater Action Plan.