The Government of Canada strengthens freshwater protection through 65 community projects

February 14, 2025 – Quebec, Quebec

Canada’s fresh water is threatened by human activity, invasive species and climate change. Clean fresh water is essential to the economy, the environment and the well-being of Canadians. Protecting fresh water is crucial.

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and

Procurement, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced over $5.5 million in funding to support 65 new projects. These projects will be carried out under the EcoAction Community Funding Program and the Community Interaction Program.  

The EcoAction program, managed by the Canada Water Agency, funds community projects across the country to improve water quality and protect freshwater resources. The Community Interaction Program, under the St. Lawrence Action Plan (2011–2026), is co-managed by the Canada Water Agency and the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec. It supports local projects to protect and enhance the St. Lawrence River ecosystem.

The projects are expected to generate tangible environmental benefits while increasing knowledge, awareness and engagement in communities across Canada.  

The recipients of the EcoAction program in 2024–2025 include the following:

• The Conseil régional de l’environnement – région de la Capitale-Nationale: $100,000 for the “École Éponge” (Sponge School) project aimed at improving water quality in three rivers located near Quebec City through rainwater collection, sediment retention and tree planting, involving students from three schools.  
• The Organisme de bassins versants Charlevoix-Montmorency: $61,199 for the “Amélioration de la qualité de l’eau des lacs” (improving water quality of the lakes) project, which reduces sediment and contaminant runoff to improve water quality in seven lakes in Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, Quebec.
• The Société de gestion environnementale de Dolbeau-Mistassini: $95,140 for the “Restauration du parc Centre-Ville de Dolbeau-Mistassini” (restoration of Parc Centre-Ville in Dolbeau-Mistassini) project, which includes cleanup, management of runoff water and replanting to protect aquatic and wetland ecosystems.  

The recipients of the Community Interaction Program in 2024–2025 are as follows:

• The Fédération de l’Union des producteurs agricoles de la Montérégie: $200,000 to restore and enlarge the agricultural riparian buffer strips, which reduces erosion and nonpoint-source pollution, and helps improve water quality in the tributaries of the St. Lawrence River in Montérégie. 
• The Société Mamuk de Nutashkuan: $100,000 to educate Innu youth about responsible fishing and hunting eating practices.
• Nature-Action Québec: $324,349 to carry out two projects, involving the restoration of turtle habitats on Fryer Island to better protect their environment and the improvement of biodiversity along the Mascouche River thanks to extended riparian buffer strips.

The new Canada Water Agency is the federal focal point for freshwater management, working in partnership with Indigenous peoples, provinces, territories and stakeholders to strengthen collaboration on fresh water. It delivers key elements of the Freshwater Action Plan.

The Call for Applications period for Stream 1 of the EcoAction funding program, Community-led freshwater action across Canada, is now open. Applications are accepted until March 25th, 2025. The application submission period for Stream 2, Freshwater Sustainability and Innovation across Canada, will be announced soon. 

Quotes

“Canadians are committed to protecting fresh water, a vital resource. Together, we assess local issues and implement concrete actions that will produce tangible, positive and sustainable environmental results.” 
– The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Collaboration between local communities, Indigenous peoples and youth is at the heart of freshwater protection. Together, we are developing innovative solutions to environmental challenges in Quebec and Canada.”
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement

“Our team is excited to begin new schoolyard greening projects in Québec City, thanks to the support of the Canada Water Agency for our École Éponge (School Sponge) program. As we embark on a new phase of the project, we want to continue to raise awareness and involve young people in the greening of their schoolyards to contribute to their well-being and help them make a number of positive impacts on the environment. Among other things, greening schoolyards allows for better rainwater management and gives a fresh look to these spaces that are usually covered in asphalt.”
– Sarah Verret, Coordinator, Conseil régional de l'environnement, région de la Capitale-Nationale (Regional Council for the Environment, National Capital Region)

Quick facts

• EcoAction projects support the Canada Water Agency’s goals for protecting freshwater resources.

• Budget 2023 allocated $650 million over 10 years to the Freshwater Action Plan, targeting the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg and the St. Lawrence River.

• Launched in October 2024, the Canada Water Agency manages the Freshwater Action Plan, with a focus on improving and restoring key, targeted water bodies.

• The EcoAction program requires that at least 50% of project funding come from nongovernment sources. 

• EcoAction projects aim to:

  • produce tangible environmental results and restore freshwater ecosystems
  • engage communities in environmental protection
  • enhance, conserve and protect the environment and freshwater, aligning with Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan

• The current Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (2011–2026) benefits from an intergovernmental partnership that brings together 19 ministries and agencies from both levels of government (federal and provincial). The current St. Lawrence Action Plan has led to several concerted actions aimed at improving the health and protection of the St. Lawrence River.  

• Since 2011, the St. Lawrence Action Plan has invested nearly $9.6 million in 135 projects to protect and restore the St. Lawrence River ecosystem, funded by the Community Interaction Program.

• The Community Interaction Program supports projects that aim to:

  • raise public awareness and encourage behavioural changes
  • develop response plans or field studies, and implement appropriate actions
  • protect or restore biodiversity in the St. Lawrence River
  • promote community participation in environmental projects