The Government of Canada is providing $1.18 million to support 15 new projects under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program. The announcement was made by Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the minister of environment and climate change.
“Projects likes these will have a positive impact on our community, economy, and natural environment,” said Duguid. “Lake Winnipeg is a significant resource to numerous communities and Indigenous Peoples across the basin, generating millions of dollars each year. It is so encouraging to see Canadians stepping up with innovative and practical ways to address some of our most pressing freshwater challenges.”
The projects will address key water quality issues in the Lake Winnipeg basin, including addressing algae growth, enhancing collaboration throughout the basin, and engaging Indigenous Peoples in freshwater management.
“These innovative local projects will help address freshwater issues across the Lake Winnipeg basin through action and collaborative efforts,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, minister of environment and climate change. “By working together, we have made important strides in understanding ongoing and emerging threats to Lake Winnipeg’s water quality and ecosystem health to preserve this vital resource for future generations.”
Duguid was joined by representatives from the University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Metis Federation. One of the projects, carried out by the University of Manitoba in collaboration with the Manitoba Metis Federation, received $50,000 to expand community-based water-monitoring efforts and to create a water-weather keeper program.
The Manitoba Metis Federation will be receiving an additional $130,000 to lead another project that aims to increase the number of Metis citizen scientists measuring phosphorus concentrations and gather traditional knowledge on the health of Lake Winnipeg. Through investments like these, the Government of Canada is helping protect freshwater across the country.
