11/04/2005 - The Honourable
Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment,
today announced that $3.8 million from the
Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, has been
provided this past year to support 64 restoration
projects in the Great Lakes Basin. The fund
provides financial support to projects that
improve the ecosystem health of 17 Canadian
Areas of Concern identified as being environmentally
degraded.
"The Great Lakes are a priority and
of particular importance to the Government
of Canada," said Minister Dion. "As
reflected in the 2005 Budget, we renewed our
commitment to the Great Lakes through the
Great Lakes Action Plan and will provide a
further $40 million over the next five years.
This funding will support projects like those
announced today that work towards protecting
the health of Canadians, restoring the quality
of the environment and ensuring the long-term
competitiveness of our country," added
Dion.
Funding for the 64 projects has been provided
from the Government of Canada's Great Lakes
Sustainability Fund (GLSF), which was announced
in July 2000. Through the Fund, the Government
of Canada has invested $24 million over the
last five years to assist with the restoration
of the remaining Canadian Areas of Concern.
GLSF is a vital component of the Government
of Canada's Great Lakes Basin 2020 Action
Plan.
Great Lakes Sustainability Fund projects
reflect diverse and dedicated partnerships
with local and provincial governments, community
groups, academia and industry, and focus on
an extensive range of restoration activities.
These include the development and implementation
of innovative strategies for improving wastewater
treatment, remediation of contaminated sites,
restoration of fish and wildlife habitat,
and public outreach activities such as eliminating
the discharge of mercury into the environment.
