Ontario Investing $1.8 million in Community Projects to Protect the Great Lakes

The Ontario government is investing up to $1.8 million in community-led projects to make Great Lakes cleaner and healthier, through the fourth round of the Great Lakes Local Action Fund. Eligible projects will help protect and improve the Great Lakes and connecting rivers by restoring wetlands, addressing pollution, and rebuilding habitats to deliver long-term benefits for businesses, residents and communities for generations to come.

“The Great Lakes hold an impressive 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water – they feed and sustain wildlife, provide jobs and support industries like power generation, agriculture and tourism,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By investing in local projects through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, we are protecting a vital natural resource for future generations.”

Since 2021, the province has committed $5.5 million to 107 Great Lakes Local Action Fund projects in communities across Ontario. These projects have restored habitat, improved water quality, and helped communities protect local waterways connected to the Great Lakes.

To be eligible for funding as part of the 2026-2027 program, applicants must propose projects that protect water quality, improve resilience or restore Great Lakes ecosystems.

The deadline to apply for project funding is November 6, 2026.

As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province continues to conserve and restore the Great Lakes to strengthen communities, support local businesses that depend on clean water and ensure natural spaces remain healthy for generations to come.

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