Ontario Protecting the Great Lakes
July 17, 2025
Local project part of province’s $7.3 million investment to improve the health of local waterways and strengthen communities
[OTTAWA] — Ontario is providing approximately $7.3 million to local organizations across the province for projects that will help strengthen the health and resiliency of the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, which together make up an unparalleled natural resource that supports communities, tourism and agriculture. This includes $174,500 to support projects in Ottawa.
“The Great Lakes hold 20 per cent of the world’s fresh surface water — providing vital water resources to our communities and driving tourism and economic growth across the province,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Our government is proud to support organizations whose hard work and innovation will help preserve the Great Lakes for generations to come.”
Local Great Lakes initiatives are funded by two provincial programs, the Great Lakes Program and the Great Lakes Local Action Fund. Projects selected for funding in Ottawa include:
Enhancing Knowledge of Harmful Pollutants in Consumer Products by investing in the Canadian Geographic society. This project will increase public awareness and education about Chemicals of Concern and other harmful pollutants found in consumer products. Through targeted outreach initiatives, it aims to inform Ontarians about the risks associated with these pollutants and promote actions to reduce their use and release.
“This announcement of funding for our local Ottawa area is an important step that the government is taking to protect our lakes, rivers and waterways and to ensure that the health of our natural resources is protected. Natural resources here in Ottawa play a major role for supporting our communities and agriculture. Carleton is a major hub for agriculture and Ottawa is lucky enough to have many waterways that can use this funding to enhance their health” – MPP Darouze
Projects selected for funding are led by community-based organizations, municipalities, conservation authorities, academic institutions and Indigenous communities to protect, conserve and restore the Great Lakes and their watersheds. Funding for these projects is part of the government’s commitment to the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health and Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy.
QUICK FACTS
- Of the $7.3 million investment, $5.5 million is provided through the 2024/25 Great Lakes Program and nearly $1.8 million is provided through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund.
- The Great Lakes economy is the third largest in the world. Almost 83 per cent of Ontario’s power generation and 95 per cent of Ontario’s agricultural lands depend on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.
- Since 2018, the Ontario government has invested $80.7million in approximately 679 projects to safeguard the Great Lakes. During that time, 52environmental clean-up actions have taken place across 17 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes.
- Working with the Great Lakes community partners, our government is making progress on actions included in Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy, such as:
- restoring 14 Areas of Concern around the Great Lakes
- expanding the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail so it now stretches over 3,600 kilometres and connects 170 communities, villages and First Nation communities.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
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Office of George Darouze – MPP Carleton
Phone: 613-838-4425
Email: george.darouze@pc.ola.org
www.georgedarouzempp.ca