The federal government has announced just under $500,000 in funding to protect and enhance water quality in the Kenora riding. Grand Council Treaty #3 and the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation will both see funding for two new projects, part of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program.

“As Northerners who enjoy being around lakes, we very much appreciate Northwestern Ontario’s abundance of freshwater,” said Kenora MP Bob Nault.

“That’s why I’m extremely pleased to see Grand Council Treaty #3 and the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation being recognized for their dedication and expertise to preserve and protect the health of our fresh water supply.”

The Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation will see program funding of just over $250,000 over four years to develop a water coordination program to strengthen collaboration and build capacity for organizations and groups working on nutrient reduction for the Lake of the Woods Basin.

The project includes developing a Charter for Lake of the Woods as a framework for action, creating communication networks to improve knowledge sharing and coordination of activities and understanding of nutrient pollution and algae blooms, and increasing public engagement and support for nutrient reduction actions.

Grand Council Treaty #3 will see program funding of just over $230,000 over three years, to establish a Watershed Management Plan to develop an engagement and decision-making framework, in-line with Anishinaabe culture and Manitou Aki Inakinogawiin (Great Earth Law),  combined with western science, to protect the land and water of Treaty #3 for future generations.

“Investing in the conservation of our freshwater resources is an investment in our future,” said Nault. He added that Treaty #3’s project will help to protect water in each of the 28 communities across the Treaty #3 territory.

“These preservation efforts will help bolster our economy, protect the environment, and ensure that future generations can enjoy our many beautiful lakes.”

Overall, the federal government has invested over $25 million into the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program, part of the $70.5 million allocated for freshwater protection in the 2017 federal budget.

For more information:
Watershed meeting this afternoon