Member of Parliament for Fredericton, Jenica Atwin, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, announced $440,000 in funding for three new projects to directly address water quality issues in the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed. The funding comes from the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives, which aims to improve the health, productivity, and sustainability of priority ecosystems in Atlantic Canada.
Three New Brunswick-based organizations will lead clean water initiatives to help protect Canada’s environment from pollutants such as plastics and harmful bacteria. The projects will be carried out in collaboration with local Indigenous organizations and youth.
The Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee and the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick will carry out projects focused on building partnerships within the agricultural sector to encourage best practices in plastic disposal and to understand and address the industry’s impacts on water quality.The St. John River Society will work with the Wolastoqey Nation to develop an approach to support decision-making concerning flow, water quality, and conservation and management of the Wolastoq/Saint John River watershed.These projects are a demonstration of the Government of Canada’s commitment to addressing plastic pollution and keeping water safe, clean and well-managed.
“The Wolastoq watershed is an ecosystem of environmental and cultural importance. That is why the work of these three organizations aiming to address pollutants, such as plastics and harmful bacteria, is crucial. Our government is pleased to support these projects to ensure healthy, productive and sustainable Atlantic ecosystems for generations to come.”– Jenica Atwin, Member of Parliament for Fredericton
