July 25, 2025
Local projects part of province’s $7.3 million investment to improve the health of local waterways and strengthen communities
NEWS
July 25, 2025
LAMBTON-KENT-MIDDLESEX — 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 $175,000 to support projects in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.
“Our local waterways are at the heart of our communities, supporting everything from clean drinking water to recreation and agriculture,” said Steve Pinsonneault, MPP for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex. “By investing in these grassroots initiatives, our government is helping to protect the Great Lakes for future generations while supporting local leadership and environmental stewardship right here at home.”
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 Lambton-Kent-Middlesex include:
- Oneida Nation of the Thames – Thames River Youth Stewardship and Great Lakes Engagement Program receiving a total of $35,000
- Chippewas of the Thames First Nation – Thames River Youth Stewardship and Great Lakes Engagement Program receiving a total of $35,000
- Walpole Island First Nation – Thames River Youth Stewardship and Great Lakes Engagement Program receiving a total of $35,000
- Munsee-Delaware Nation – Thames River Youth Stewardship and Great Lakes Engagement Program receiving a total of $35,000
- St. Clair River Area of Concern – Actions Toward Delisting receiving a total of $35,000
“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.”
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
CONTACT
Email: steve.pinsonneault@pc.ola.org
Strathroy Office: 519-245-8696
Wallaceburg Office: 519-627-1015