Nature is not only part of who we are as Canadians, it's key to building a strong, healthy future for generations to come. Already, the Government of Canada has protected a historic amount of land and water across the country, conserving the spaces that matter to Canadians, protecting species, and fighting climate change. Today, the Government is investing to continue protecting nature in Ontario.
Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced over $11.7 million to support the Ontario Land Trust Alliance to conserve wetlands, grasslands and forests that are currently under threat. Spanning much of the province, the projects will protect from conversion up to 6000 hectares. The projects will also restore another 300 hectares of habitat that supports 60 species at risk, including the Kirtland's Warbler. In addition to protecting species at risk and important ecosystems in people's neighbourhoods, these projects will help keep our air clean and fight climate change, by capturing and storing carbon.
Today, Minister Guilbeault also announced over $850,000 to support several projects with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority focused on the Great Lakes restoration. These projects will improve freshwater quality and aquatic habitat throughout surrounding communities. For example, one project, funded through the Great Lakes Protection Initiative will protect and restore aquatic habitat in the Toronto and Region Area of Concern. Another project, funded by the EcoAction Community Funding Program, will improve water quality and quantity, and ecosystem health in the four urban neighbourhoods of Rexdale, Bramalea, the Pocket and Thornhill.
Protecting nature is win-win-it safeguards the places and species that are part of who we are as Canadians, and it helps us fight climate change. With today's announcement, the Government is continuing to deliver a strong, healthy future for Canadians.
