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Millions Flow into Great Lakes: Canada funds $9.3 million in freshwater solutions

Press Release

From: Canada Water Agency

July 14, 2025

Water sustains life; it is a vital resource for people, nature and our economy. It is more important now than ever that we invest in protecting our freshwater to build a cleaner, safer and sustainable future for all.

The Great Lakes Watershed is a critical freshwater system that we have here in Canada. It supports industry, recreation, ecosystems, and culture. It also holds spiritual and cultural significance for Indigenous peoples and their way of life.

Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced an investment of $9.3 million in 26 freshwater projects in the Great Lakes.

These projects are delivered through the Canada Water Agency’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. Each project addresses key environmental challenges affecting water quality and ecosystem health in the region. They are also key in advancing Canada’s commitments under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Each of these initiatives is community-led, facilitating collaboration on freshwater science and management.

Among the funded projects, four will support freshwater restoration in Hamilton and Burlington, representing a $1.6 million investment over four years:

  • Royal Botanical Gardens will receive up to $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.
  • Hamilton Region Conservation Authority will receive up to $228,000 to engage landowners in implementing watershed improvement initiatives that reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern.
  • Halton Region Conservation Authority will receive up to $242,000 to develop a science-based nutrient management plan for the Grindstone Creek watershed. This includes analyzing water quality data, identifying nutrient sources, and engaging stakeholders to recommend targeted best management practices.
  • The Regional Municipality of Halton will receive up to $995,000 to restore two kilometers of shoreline and dune ecosystems at Beachway Park in Burlington using nature-based restoration approaches.

This investment will help improve water quality in the Hamilton Harbour Area of Concern and throughout the Great Lakes. Local projects like these drive measurable improvements in water quality and ecosystem health across the region. These projects are also creating lasting economic and social value by supporting sustainable fisheries, protecting drinking water sources, restoring vital habitats, and engaging local communities and landowners in stewardship efforts that strengthen both environmental resilience and regional well-being.

Through the newly established Canada Water Agency, the Government of Canada is strengthening coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to address freshwater challenges and opportunities in the Great Lakes and across the country. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to building a cleaner, more secure, and more prosperous future, because when we protect our water, we protect what makes Canada strong.

Quotes

“Freshwater is at the heart of our communities, and the Great Lakes are among our most precious shared resources. By investing in these community-led projects, we’re taking meaningful steps to restore and protect this vital ecosystem—ensuring clean water, cultural preservation, and a stronger and more sustainable Canada for generations to come.”
– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency

“Protecting and rehabilitating our freshwater is vital for both our environmental and human health. Our community sits on the shores of Lake Ontario. The projects supported today are vital for the viability, protection and sustainability of our freshwater resources locally. We must continue to prioritize freshwater stewardship today and for generations to come.”
– The Honourable Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington

“Royal Botanical Gardens is thrilled by the continued investment in the recovery of our region’s two major coastal marshes within the Hamilton-Burlington communities. These wetlands are vital habitats and serve as powerful indicators of regional ecological health. The progress seen, especially in Cootes Paradise Marsh, highlights the success of the combined HHRAP partner water quality improvement investments.”
– Lindsay Barr, Manager of Ecosystem Stewardship, Royal Botanical Gardens

“Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) is grateful to receive funding from the Canada Water Agency for the Hamilton Harbour Watershed Stewardship Project. This support will enable HCA and Conservation Halton to collaborate with local residents and community groups to restore natural areas and enhance water quality across the watersheds of Hamilton Harbour. Caring for private lands through our stewardship program is an effective way to protect water resources and watershed health, reflecting our ongoing commitment, as outlined in our strategic plan, to collaborate on watershed-wide environmental goals.”
– Lisa Burnside, Chief Administrative Officer, Hamilton Conservation Authority

“Thanks to the funding provided by the Canada Water Agency, Conservation Halton will develop a watershed-scale nutrient management plan for the Grindstone Creek. For over two decades, Conservation Halton has been actively collaborating with all levels of government and the local community to advance freshwater science, monitoring, and restoration in the Great Lakes Areas of Concern. This initiative is critical in continuing to advance the identification of key nutrient sources, assess trends, and prioritize areas for targeted interventions on a watershed scale to address water quality and algal blooms in Hamilton Harbour.”
– Chandra Sharma, President and CEO, Conservation Halton

“Halton Region is proud to lead a collaborative effort with Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington to 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. 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.”
– Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair

Quick facts

  • This $9.36 million investment for the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is distributed over four years.
  • Starting in 2023, the Government of Canada is investing $650 million over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan, including a historic incremental investment of $420 million to protect the Great Lakes.
  • The Great Lakes provide drinking water to one in four Canadians and are vital to our health, ecosystems, and economy.
  • The Great Lakes region and its basin account for 30% of the combined economic activity of Canada and the United States (~$8 trillion CAD annually).
  • The Canada–United States (U.S.) Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement has guided joint efforts to protect these vital waters since 1972.
  • The Canada–Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health outlines cooperative efforts to restore and protect the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.
  • Areas of Concern are locations where water quality and ecosystem health have been severely degraded by human activity. These include beach closures, habitat loss, and impacts on fish and wildlife populations.
  • Under the Canada-U.S. Agreement, 43 such areas were identified—12 in Canada and five shared binationally. Since 1987, five Areas of Concern have been delisted or designated as Areas in Recovery.

Associated links

Contacts
Keean Nembhard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
343-552-2387
Keean.Nembhard@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Water Agency
media@cwa-aec.gc.ca

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