The Great Lakes are essential to the health and well-being of millions of Canadians. The Government of Canada is delivering on our longstanding commitment to safeguard this important freshwater resource for Canadians by investing in local initiatives that drive innovation and create jobs.
Today, the Minister of International Development, the Honourable Karina Gould, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced $5.1 million in funding to support 46 new projects to protect and restore the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Protection Initiative in 2020–21.
The Great Lakes Protection Initiative supports projects that address key Great Lakes priorities such as restoring areas of concern, preventing toxic and nuisance algae, reducing releases of harmful chemicals, engaging Indigenous Peoples on Great Lakes issues, and increasing public engagement through citizen science.
Minister Gould was joined at the announcement by Darlene Bennett-Howes, Director of Business Development and Community Engagement, at Royal Botanical Gardens. Their project will receive $53,000 in funding to help restore fish habitat and address algae issues in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern as well as examine ways to better protect the coastal wetland habitat.
Through investments like these, the Government of Canada is supporting local initiatives and solutions to environmental challenges.
In the coming weeks, the Government will be launching consultations on the creation of the new Canada Water Agency, to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, local authorities, and scientists to keep our water safe, clean, and well managed.
