During US President Joe Biden’s visit to Canada, the federal government announced funding of $420 million over 10 years to accelerate restoration and protection of the Great Lakes through the Freshwater Action Plan.
The funding will pay for cleanup of 12 of the remaining 14 Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes by 2030, and reduction of phosphorous loadings to Lake Erie.
The 12 Areas of Concern include Thunder Bay, Nigipon Bay, Peninsula Harbour, St. Mary’s River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Toronto and Region, Port Hope Harbour, Bay
of Quinte, and the St. Lawrence River.
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) welcomed the funding.
“This is a step in the right direction, but the reality is that this is a fraction of what our US counterparts are contributing,” said OFAH Fisheries Biologist Adam Weir.
“Our neighbour to the south spends roughly the same amount as Canada’s ten-year plan each year and, since 2010, the US Great Lakes Restoration Initiative has provided billions of dollars for projects.”
