Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to Host First-Ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup in Ontario
Press Release
St. Catharines, ON – August 12, 2025 – The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Ci4es Ini4a4ve is pleased to announce that it has secured a grant from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conserva4on and Parks to host Ontario’s first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. The Cites Ini4a4ve will receive $85,000 through Ontario’s Great Lakes Local Ac4on Fund to host six shoreline cleanups for this inaugural event.
This World Rivers Day, September 28, the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup will bring together more than 250 volunteers to collect up to 200 kilograms of liSer at beaches, parks, and other shoreline areas along Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, along with the St. Lawrence River. The Ci4es Ini4a4ve is partnering with six communi4es for this first mul4-site cleanup: Thunder Bay, Chatham-Kent, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Cobourg, and Kingston. These municipali4es will partner with local organiza4ons to set up cleanup sites, provide supplies, and train volunteers.
Mayor Mat Siscoe, Co-Chair of the Ci>es Ini>a>ve and Mayor of St. Catharines: “We thank the Government of Ontario for their generous support, along with the six par4cipa4ng communi4es, to host the province’s first Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. This investment shows the Province of Ontario’s and these communi4es’ engagement and passion for protec4ng our most precious freshwater resources. We hope this cleanup will be the first of a growing annual movement across Ontario and all the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.”
Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conserva>on and Parks: “Our government is proud to support the first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup – a fantas4c community ini4a4ve to remove plas4c and liSer from local beaches, parks and shorelines across the province. By inves4ng in this project led by the Ci4es Ini4a4ve, the Great Lakes Local Ac4on Fund is making a las4ng impact on the health of lakes and rivers in Ontario, contribu4ng to stronger, healthier communi4es – now and for the future.”
It is es4mated that 22 million pounds of plas4c enter the Great Lakes each year, a source of drinking water for more than 40 million Canadians and Americans. Shoreline cleanups help reduce pollu4on at the source, as well as raising awareness around the impact of waste and liSer in our lakes and rivers.
In addi4on to the Government of Ontario’s generous support, the Ci4es Ini4a4ve recognizes financial and in-kind support provided by par4cipa4ng municipali4es and Greenland Consul4ng Engineers.
Addi>onal Quotes:
Mayor Darrin Canniff of Chatham-Kent and Board Member of the Ci>es Ini>a>ve: “Chatham-Kent is proud to be one of the founding communi4es of the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. Our community understands the importance of protec4ng the Great Lakes, not just as a source of drinking water, but as a vital part of our local environment, economy, and iden4ty. We’re grateful for the Province’s support and are excited to work alongside volunteers to make a meaningful impact on our shoreline this September.”
Councillor Lauren Anderson of Chatham-Kent and Ci>es Ini>a>ve Board Delegate: “I’m honoured to be part of an organiza4on that values our Great Lakes and recognizes their significance. As a board member of the GLSL, I’m proud of the dedica4on shown by fellow board members, staff, and our bina4onal federal and provincial governments. Their commitment to ini4a4ves like this Cleanup inspires me to con4nue suppor4ng and protec4ng our Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River Basin. This event brings communi4es together—not only to celebrate these vital waters—but to show our gra4tude by keeping our Great Lakes truly great.”
Mayor Bryan Paterson of Kingston: “Kingston is proud to be one of the founding ci4es of the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. Our community understands the deep connec4on between a healthy environment and a vibrant future. This ini4a4ve is a powerful way to bring residents together, raise awareness, and take real ac4on to protect the Great Lakes shoreline. We’re excited to roll up our sleeves and make a meaningful impact this September.”
Mayor Lucas Cleveland of Cobourg: “I am incredibly proud that The Town of Cobourg has been selected as a partner in the first-ever Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. Cobourg is ac4vely taking measures that align with this ini4a4ve, and our community of volunteers are eager to help the Ci4es Ini4a4ve raise awareness surrounding the impact that waste and liSer has on our lakes and rivers. The Great Lakes represent the single most valuable natural resource in the world. It is impera4ve that we all do our part to protect this essen4al resource. In Cobourg we are taking measures to maintain our local harbour not only for the beSerment of the environment, but to ensure Cobourg’s economy can con4nue to thrive. I look forward to working with the par4cipa4ng communi4es and the Ci4es Ini4a4ve and am op4mis4c this will be the start of an ini4a4ve for years to come.”
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin of Collingwood: “Collingwood is proud to be part of the inaugural Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup. Our community values the health of our shoreline and understands the importance of collec4ve ac4on to protect it. With support from the Province of Ontario, this ini4a4ve empowers us to come together, take meaningful ac4on, and help preserve the beauty and vitality of our Great Lakes for future genera4ons.”
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