Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna makes a funding announcement, alongside Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid, in Gimli, Manitoba on Thursday, August 2, 2018. (@CATHMCKENNA / TWITTER)
The federal government is funding 23 new projects under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program in an effort to improve the health of the watershed.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna was in Gimli, Manitoba Thursday and made the $3.8 million funding announcement in the town’s harbour.
The Lake Winnipeg Foundation will receive $260,000, over four years, for a project that engages citizen scientists to collect, analyze, and share multi-year phosphorous data to support targeted action. The Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation will receive $400,000, over two years, for wetland conservation and restoration in the Lake Winnipeg Basin. The project will include restoring 60 hectares of drained wetlands and protecting 660 hectares of intact wetlands.
“Clean water is an essential resource for Canadians: It’s critical for our health, the environment, and the economy,”McKenna said.
The funding will also help mitigate the excess phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg, the main cause of toxic and nuisance algae that negatively impacts water quality, which is a problem that could be worsened by warming waters due to climate change.
— Staff
