Canada wants to improve, protect freshwater supply

Chris EdwardsSeptember 19, 2022, 3:50 pmJune 30, 2023

A clean freshwater supply is essential to the well-being of Canadians. It also impacts the health and sustainability of the environment and the economy. Fresh water from lakes, rivers, and groundwater is critical for the survival of all living organisms.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, joined several environmental organisations at John Hendry Park in Vancouver. He announced over $1 million in funding to support twelve new projects in British Columbia under the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

These twelve projects will have measurable and positive impacts on the environment and engage communities across the province. They are all focused on improving freshwater quality, reducing harmful substances in fresh water, and restoring and protecting freshwater ecosystem health.

Guilbeault said, “Protecting fresh water in Canada requires dedicated local organisations to be empowered with the resources and support they need. The EcoAction program is part of a broader effort to protect nature. They are working in collaboration with environmental groups across the country. We all remember when freshwater protections were being removed instead of improved. Our government is committed to protecting fresh water for Canadians. Local environmental groups are on the front lines of that change.”

Those organisations that received funding to improve and protect the freshwater supply:

Wildcoast Ecological Society in Burnaby, British Columbia, will receive over $96,000 to address the water quality. They will also work on the surrounding wetland and riverbank (riparian) zones of the Brunette River Watershed tributaries.
The British Columbia Wildlife Federation will receive $100,000 to restore and conserve wetlands on Quadra Island, in Hope and the Columbia Basin. Through workshops and training sessions, it will also empower community members and wetland practitioners to steward, save, and restore wetlands.
The Galiano Conservancy Association will receive $100,000 to restore wetland, riparian, and forested ecosystems. They will improve the watershed’s ability to retain and infiltrate fresh water and sequester carbon. They will also remove invasive species in the southern section of the Chrystal Creek watershed on Galiano Island, British Columbia.
The Stanley Park Ecology Society will receive $100,000 to improve water quality and habitat by installing floating islands and logs for wildlife. They will also restore native wetland habitats around the Lost Lagoon and Ceperley Meadow in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.

This funding is part of a total of $3.3 million. The EcoAction program funds forty-one non-profit and non-governmental organisations across Canada for local projects. Those projects are intended to achieve results that will improve water quality. They will contribute to the protection of Canada’s freshwater supply.

Canada preparing for COP15

The announcement comes as Canada prepares for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. COP15 will take place in Montréal, Quebec, from December 7 to 19. This major landmark conference is a chance for Canada to show its leadership and international partners in taking action to conserve nature. It will also show how Canada is working to halt biological diversity loss worldwide, done in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves in the region, such as the Howe Sound Biosphere Region, are vital contributions to these actions.

Taleeb Noormohamed, Member of Parliament, Vancouver Granville, said, “To address freshwater challenges, we need to start locally and work together to support community-based projects. EcoAction encourages collaboration and engagement with youth, Indigenous Peoples and small businesses. Investment in these projects will have measurable and positive impacts on the environment here in British Columbia.”