Government of Canada invests in new Great Lakes clean-up projects in the St. Clair River and Detroit River Areas of Concern

SARNIA, ON, July 23, 2014 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, Dr. Colin Carrie was in Sarnia, Ontario, today to announce new environmental clean-up projects in the Great Lakes.

The Government of Canada's Great Lakes Sustainability Fund is contributing $1.5 million towards 27 new projects in the Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern including $413,000 for four new projects for the St. Clair River and the Detroit River Areas of Concern. With additional funding from partners, the estimated total value of the St. Clair River and Detroit River projects is $1.86 million.

Since 1989, the Fund has supported more than 900 partnered projects to help clean up Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern. This work aligns with the Government of Canada's National Conservation Plan to conserve and restore our lands and waters, and connect Canadian families to our natural spaces.

Quick Facts

• Great Lakes Areas of Concern are areas where the environment and water quality are severely degraded. Restoring them is a priority because they impact the health of the ecosystem locally and collectively across the basin.
• Projects supported by the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund typically focus on restoring fish and wildlife habitat and populations, cleaning up contaminated sediment, and controlling pollution from municipal wastewater, urban storm water and rural run-off.

Quotes

"Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes are huge undertakings that align with the Government of Canada's National Conservation Plan. Together with our partners, we are working to protect Canada's lands, waters and rich natural heritage."

- Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment

"Our Government is committed to ensuring clean water for all Canadians. By supporting community-level projects that restore environmental quality in Canada's Great Lakes Areas of Concern, we are helping to make the communities around the Lakes better places to live, work and play."

- Patricia Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia—Lambton

"Sarnia Council welcomes the contribution by the Federal Government to the Pump Station Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System Project. It will continue our joint commitment to protect and renew the Great Lakes."

- Mike Bradley, Mayor, City of Sarnia

Related Product

For more information and to view a backgrounder on this announcement, please visit the Web site of Environment Canada.

Associated Link

The Great Lakes (Environment Canada)

SOURCE: Environment Canada

Ted Laking
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

Environment Canada's Twitter page

Environment Canada's Facebook page