WINNIPEG, MB, July 30,
2024 /CNW/ - Canada
is taking action to help protect and manage freshwater ecosystems,
including the Lake Winnipeg basin. Lake Winnipeg and its basin
sustain a diverse range of environmental, economic, and social
benefits, such as commercial and recreational fishing and tourism,
while also supporting the livelihoods and cultural practices of
First Nations and Métis peoples and communities.
Today, Terry Duguid,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor
for Water, announced on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault,
Minister of Environment and Climate Change, more than $2.3 million in funding over two years to support
17 partner-led projects under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program.
Through Canada's Freshwater
Action Plan, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program supports federal
science and provides funding to partners to improve water quality
and reduce nutrient loading to the lake; it enables meaningful
participation by Indigenous peoples in freshwater management; and
it advances collaboration and knowledge mobilization to support
decision-making and action.
Among the projects funded, the University
of Manitoba will receive $65,000 over two years to continue to advance
knowledge sharing and support evidence-based decision-making on
fresh water in the Lake Winnipeg basin through the Canadian
Watershed Information Network. This investment will help improve
and expand their online information portal and develop mechanisms
to store and share Indigenous knowledge in a manner that recognizes
Indigenous data sovereignty.
The Manitoba Association of Watersheds will receive more than
$205,000 over two years to support
efforts in four watershed districts to protect water quality and
reduce nutrient loading, in alignment with their respective
integrated watershed management plans. Working with landowners,
this project will support the implementation of various management
practices, including the construction of water retention sites,
riparian enhancement, and wetland restoration and conservation.
Working in collaboration with Swan Lake First Nation, Rootstalk
Resources will receive more than $160,000 over the next two years to bring
together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and other conservation
organizations to improve watershed health in and around
Swan Lake. The program will use
Indigenous knowledge and western science to train the next
generation of land stewards in watershed health, wetland
restoration, and caring for the land.
These partner-led projects will have a positive impact on fresh
water and support key priorities of Canada's Freshwater Action Plan, which is
being delivered by the new Canada Water Agency. Today's
announcement is part of Canada's
historical investment of $650 million
over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to strengthen the
protection and restoration of bodies of fresh water in Canada. This includes an investment of
$64.5 million for Lake Winnipeg.
Quotes
"While Lake Winnipeg is appreciated for its sandy beaches,
opportunities to fish, and cultural significance to Indigenous
peoples, the lake is under strain. Community involvement is key to
deliver concrete actions to improve freshwater quality throughout
the Lake Winnipeg basin. We are helping Canadians protect and
manage this vital resource that is essential to the health and
well-being of people by investing in local partner-led
projects."
– Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
and Special Advisor for Water
Quick facts
- Lake Winnipeg is Canada's
sixth-largest lake and the eleventh-largest freshwater lake in the
world. Its watershed is the second largest in Canada and spans parts of four provinces and
four American states.
- The Lake Winnipeg drainage basin has an area of nearly one
million square kilometres and is home to nearly seven million
people.
- Since 2017, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program has invested over
$11.6 million in grants and
contribution funding to support partner-driven, nutrient-reducing
actions; collaborative efforts; and Indigenous engagement to
improve the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg.
- The Canada Water Agency is the federal focal point for fresh
water and will deliver key elements of the Freshwater Action Plan
to help improve coordination, collaboration, and partnership with
provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to respond to
Canada's most pressing freshwater
challenges.
Associated links
- Projects Funded by the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
- Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
- Canada Water Agency
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada