Monday, August 10, 2026
The Government of Ontario announced it is investing nearly $1.2 million to help the City of Brampton enhance local wetlands and reduce flood risk to roads while improving the natural ecosystem in the Heart Lake Wetlands Complex and Spring Creek. This funding is part of the province’s $9.6 million investment through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program to conserve wetlands and protect communities against the threat of flooding, drought and other extreme weather events.
“Wetlands are vital natural infrastructure that protect our homes and businesses against drought and flooding, clean the water and create habitat for a variety of wildlife,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “We are proud to support this important project here in Brampton, which will preserve this vital natural space for this community, ensuring future generations can enjoy the many benefits that healthy wetlands provide.”
Led by the City of Brampton in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project will enhance 25 acres (10 hectares) of wetlands by restoring wetland shorelines and upgrading stormwater infrastructure, while also removing invasive species, such as Common Buckthorn, and planting native plants and trees in its place. This work will help reduce flooding while enhancing ecosystem function within the Heart Lake Wetlands Complex, which drains water southward into Spring Creek.
The government’s wetlands program is one of the largest investments in wetland enhancement and restoration in the province’s history. Since 2020, Ontario has invested nearly $41 million in 660 projects, restoring and enhancing over 12,200 acres (4,950 hectares) of wetlands in the Great Lakes watershed and connecting rivers.
“Protecting the ecological health of the Heart Lake Conservation Park and surrounding wetlands has been part of TRCA’s work for decades, and projects like this demonstrate what strong partnerships can achieve. We thank the City of Brampton and local environmental organizations, including the Heart Lake Turtle Troopers, for their work to champion this initiative. We also thank the Province of Ontario for its investment through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program. Together, we’re working with the community to make infrastructure safer and more resilient while protecting this valuable wetland complex and improving habitat connectivity for local wildlife.” said John MacKenzie, CEO, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
Featured image: (City of Brampton)
