Wednesday, January 7, 2026
The government of Canada announced on Dec. 18 the Canada Water Agency will put $4.5 million in funding toward 39 new freshwater projects across Canada.
Federal minister of environment, climate change and nature and minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency (CWA) Julie Dabrusin said the funding included 34 projects under the EcoAction program and five projects under the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.
“Today’s major investment is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we bring communities together around one shared goal: protecting our water. These projects not only advance sustainable water management practices but also drive clean economic growth and innovative solutions—helping build a stronger, more resilient Canada for all,” Dabrusin said.
Funding highlighted in the announcement includes $200,000 for the City of Kelowna in collaboration with Westbank First Nation to develop an an early-warning tool for cyanobacteria and harmful algae blooms and establish a monitoring and response network.
The British Columbia Conservation Foundation will receive $100,000 to remove harmful tire wear toxins from stormwater runoff before they enter freshwater ecosystems and engage with communities in implementing rain gardens to filter pollutants.
Sumas First Nation will receive over $153,000 beginning in 2025-2026 to host collaborative workshops to “integrate Indigenous and Western knowledge and data to deepen understanding of environmental stressors affecting salmon, sturgeon, and waterfowl in the Sumas River sub-basin, and to identify potential restoration actions,” the CWA release said.
EcoAction is administered through the CWA to “support projects that apply sustainable approaches to improve freshwater quality, ecosystem health, and stewardship, the release said, while the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative supports initiatives which reduce nutrients and contaminants in the Fraser River basin.
canada.ca has a complete list of EcoAction projects receiving funding along with those funded under the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative.
