Thursday, February 12, 2026
The Canada Water Agency (CWA) is putting over $1 million towards six new projects aimed at protecting the Mackenzie River Basin which at 1.8 million km² spans give provinces and two territories, about 20 per cent of the country’s total landmass.
The river plays a major economic role and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance to many Indigenous communities, a CWA release said, but “the health of the river basin is challenged by impacts to water quality, quantity and traditional use due to industrial activities, and by climate change impacts such as increasing sediment from melting permafrost and changes to aquatic species.”
“Protecting the Mackenzie River is about more than just safeguarding our environment—it’s about supporting the health, food security, and cultural traditions of northern and Indigenous communities. By investing in these freshwater projects, we’re empowering local action to restore and protect this vital ecosystem, while strengthening the economy and building resilience to climate change for generations to come,” federal minister of environment, climate change and nature and minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency Julie Dabrusin said.
Among the funded projects, Aurora College will receive $198,950 over two years to advance the development of a permafrost-lake landsystem to better understand environmental characteristics of lakes and their responses to climate change. The project will take place in Inuvik, Fort McPherson, Yellowknife and Behchoko in the Northwest Territories and will also show how sensitive the different types of permafrost lakes are to climate shifts.
The Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board is receiving $196,326 over two years to study the health of freshwater ecosystems in the Northwest Territories. Water samples, sediment cores, and aquatic life will be examined to better understand long-term changes in water quality, the release said.
The full list of funded projects along with further details is here.
