The provincial government has announced $1.5 million in funding to help protect the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River Basin.
According to the province, the money will support the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Cities Initiative’s new Local Blue Economy Growth Fund Program. According to a government statement, that program is meant to "help communities across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin protect water, strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable growth."
The fund will provide small grants for municipalities and First Nations communities to help implement "innovative approaches" aimed at improving water quality and public safety.
Projects that the fund will benefit include small-scale stormwater management technologies that capture plastics and other harmful pollutants before they enter storm drains, and green infrastructure such as buffer strips and rain gardens to help improve water quality.
Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy made the announcement Thursday at the Cities Initiatives’ 2026 Annual Conference.
"Ontario is proud to support the Cities Initiative to implement local, high-impact projects that will protect vital resources and improve community resilience to extreme weather," he said. "This investment empowers municipalities and First Nations to put innovative water solutions in place, safeguarding their communities against major flooding events and ensuring these vital waterways remain healthy for generations to come."
