Protecting fresh water: Canada Water Agency invests over $4.5 million in 39 new projects

Press Release

December 18, 2025

Today, the Honorable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $4.5 million in funding for 39 new freshwater projects. This includes 34 projects under the EcoAction program (23 for community-led initiatives and 11 for sustainability and innovation) and 5 projects under the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.

Fresh water in Canada is essential for human health and our well-being and the health of our environment. It supports various economic sectors, fueling prosperity nationwide, and our long-term competitiveness as a country. Moreover, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Canadians and Indigenous communities.

Administered by the Canada Water Agency, EcoAction supports projects that apply sustainable approaches to improve freshwater quality, ecosystem health, and stewardship. Similarly, the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative supports projects that advance science and knowledge, collaboration and engagement, and on-the-ground actions to reduce nutrients and contaminants in the Fraser River basin.

Among the 39 funding recipients:

British Columbia Conservation Foundation will receive close to $100,000 to 1) remove harmful tire wear toxins from stormwater runoff before they enter freshwater ecosystems and 2) engage with communities in implementing rain gardens to filter pollutants.
City of Kelowna will receive $200,000 to develop, in collaboration with the Westbank First Nation, an early-warning tool for cyanobacteria and harmful algae blooms and establish a monitoring and response network. This will support climate resilience and strengthen Indigenous leadership in protecting water.
Sumas First Nation will receive over $153,000, starting in 2025-2026, to host a series of collaborative workshops. The workshops will integrate Indigenous and Western knowledge and data to deepen understanding of environmental stressors affecting salmon, sturgeon, and waterfowl in the Sumas River sub-basin, and to identify potential restoration actions.

Concrete initiatives like these will result in improved water quality, biodiversity, and long-term environmental stewardship, while also creating lasting economic and social value.

Through the Canada Water Agency, the Government of Canada is strengthening coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to address freshwater challenges and opportunities. It is creating opportunities to enhance knowledge-sharing, advance innovative freshwater stewardship and management solutions, and build a brighter freshwater future for Canadians.

Quotes

“Healthy freshwater ecosystems are vital to the health and well-being of Canadians and our economy. Today’s major investment is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we bring communities together around one shared goal: protecting our water. These projects not only advance sustainable water management practices but also drive clean economic growth and innovative solutions—helping build a stronger, more resilient Canada for all.’’

– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency

“Access to river flow data is critical for science and decision-making. The Free Flow Canada project will develop new tools that bring together diverse sources of real-time river flow data, making it easier for water analysts, citizens, and decision-makers across Canada to access the information they need. This Hakai Institute project is made possible by funding from EcoAction and the Tula Foundation.’’

– Ian Giesbrecht, PhD, Lead of Watershed Science, Tula Foundation / Hakai Institute

“Sqwá:la (the Hope Slough) is a culturally and ecologically significant waterway in Pelólxw territory that has been deeply impacted by pollution and habitat degradation. With support from the Canada Water Agency, the Pelólxw Tribe is expanding long-term water quality monitoring, strengthening Indigenous stewardship and youth leadership, and partnering with local farmers on a pilot project that showcases nature-based solutions to improve fish habitat and farming conditions. This project helps our community renew its relationship with the watershed and uphold our sacred obligation to care for the land and water for future generations.’’

– Roxanna Kooistra, Environmental Manager, Cheam First Nation – Xwchíyò:m

“The Vedder River watershed holds significant ecological, cultural, spiritual, and recreational values. Its floodplain areas are crucial for the survival of local salmon populations and provide off-channel habitats for many wildlife and plant species. In the interest of supporting long-term stewardship, we are partnering with the Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition to encourage youth leadership on habitat restoration and community engagement.’’

– Sonja Dodig, Youth Program Manager, Fraser Basin Council

Quick facts

Canada is home to 20 percent of the world’s fresh water and about seven percent of the global renewable supply.
The Canada Water Agency leads the delivery of the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan to:
- advance science to inform decisions,
- enhance governance to support improved collaboration with partners and stakeholders; and
- conduct on-the-ground actions to protect and restore freshwater ecosystem health
EcoAction is a cost-shared program that leverages partnerships for collective freshwater action. It requires organizations outside of the Government of Canada to fund at least 50 percent of the total project value.
EcoAction projects are expected to:
- improve freshwater quality through community-led actions focused on protecting and restoring water quality and ecosystem health and increase water literacy through active engagement of community members.
- pilot innovative and clean technologies, enable circular economy opportunities such as nutrient recovery and reuse, and improve how people can access and use freshwater data across Canada
The Fraser River faces challenges from development activities and climate change, which pose risks to freshwater quality and aquatic ecosystem health throughout the basin.
The Fraser River is the fourth-largest river in Canada by volume, with its highest point nearly 4 kilometers above sea level.
At least 100 First Nations across at least 9 language groups have traditional territory in the Fraser River basin.