The Ontario government is investing $1.5 million in a new program aimed at helping municipalities and First Nations protect water resources, strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable growth across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin.
The funding will support the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Cities Initiative’s new Local Blue Economy Growth Fund Program, which will provide small grants to Ontario member municipalities and First Nations for projects focused on water quality improvement and public safety.
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks said the announcement was made Thursday by Environment, Conservation and Parks Minister Todd McCarthy during the Cities Initiative’s 2026 annual conference in Hamilton.
“Ontario is proud to support the Cities Initiative to implement local, high-impact projects that will protect vital resources and improve community resilience to extreme weather,” said McCarthy. “This investment empowers municipalities and First Nations to put innovative water solutions in place, safeguarding their communities against major flooding events and ensuring these vital waterways remain healthy for generations to come.”
According to the province, the program will support projects such as small-scale stormwater management technologies designed to capture plastics and other pollutants before they enter storm drains, as well as green infrastructure initiatives including buffer strips and rain gardens aimed at improving water quality.
The province said the program complements existing infrastructure programs, promotes best practices and supports communities in developing local solutions to environmental challenges.
Ontario said the initiative supports the regional economy tied to the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River system while advancing efforts to build sustainable and resilient communities.
The province noted the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region supports nearly 40 per cent of Canada’s economic activity and about half of the country’s manufacturing sector.
Ontario also said the Great Lakes contain nearly 20 per cent of the world’s fresh surface water.
The government added that from 2018 to 2025, Ontario invested more than $83 million through the Great Lakes Basin Initiative to support nearly 680 projects focused on protecting and restoring the Great Lakes system.
