Ontario Invests $1.5 Million to Protect Great Lakes and Drive Local Innovation
Press Release
‘May 07, 2026
Provincial investment will help municipalities and First Nations better prepare for extreme weather and growth
HAMILTON — Ontario is investing $1.5 million in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Cities Initiative’s new Local Blue Economy Growth Fund Program to help communities across the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin protect water, strengthen climate resilience and support sustainable growth. This program will provide small grants for its Ontario member municipalities and First Nations to implement innovative approaches to improving water quality and enhance public safety.
Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, made the announcement today at the Cities Initiatives’ 2026 Annual Conference.
“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 Minister 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.”
The Cities Initiative’s Local Blue Economy Growth Fund Program helps Ontario municipalities and First Nations invest in projects such as small-scale stormwater management technologies that capture plastics and other harmful pollutants before they enter storm drains, and green infrastructure such as buffer strips and rain gardens to help improve water quality. The program complements other major government infrastructure programs, promotes best practices and empowers communities to develop and implement local solutions.
This initiative supports one of the world’s leading regional economies and delivers on Ontario’s plan to protect the province by driving local action and made-in-Ontario solutions to build strong, healthy and sustainable communities.
Quick Facts
- The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region is a vibrant economic engine, supporting nearly 40% of Canada’s economic activity and about half of its manufacturing sector.
- The Great Lakes contain nearly 20% of the fresh surface water on the planet. If that water were spread evenly across North America, it would cover the continent to a depth of over 1.5 metres.
- From 2018 to 2025 Ontario has invested more than $83 million to support almost 680 projects through the Great Lakes Basin Initiative to protect and restore the Great Lakes including remediating legacy Areas of Concern, reducing Lake Erie algal blooms, improving watersheds and beaches in Lake Huron, and implementing Ontario’s Great Lakes Strategy.
Quotes
“Hamilton’s waterfront is an economic and environmental asset that our city depends on. This investment gives communities like ours the tools to act locally — improving stormwater management, protecting water quality and building the resilience we need to keep our shorelines healthy for decades to come.”
– Neil Lumsden
MPP for Hamilton East – Stoney Creek
“The Local Blue Economy Growth Fund is a meaningful investment in Ontario communities that will help improve water quality while supporting innovation across Ontario’s water technology sector. By making it easier for municipalities and First Nations communities to adopt emerging stormwater and wastewater solutions, this fund demonstrates how economic growth and environmental protection can go hand in hand, delivering real benefits for residents while helping us build a strong Fresh Coast Economic Corridor.”
– Mat Siscoe
Mayor of St. Catherines and Co-Chair, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative
Additional Resources
Media Assets
Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (pictured middle), presents members of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Cities Initiative with a $1.5 million cheque for the Local Blue Economy Growth Fund Program.
Related Topics
Environment and energy
Learn more about how Ontario protects and restores wildlife and the environment. Includes information on conservation and the electricity system. Learn more
Media Contacts
Alexandru Cioban
Minister’s Office
Alexandru.Cioban@ontario.ca
Gary Wheeler
Communications Branch
gary.s.wheeler@ontario.ca
416-314-6666
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