NEW FUNDING FOR CANADIAN COASTAL RESTORATION

New funding for Canadian coastal restoration

The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, has announced over $13 million in funding as part of the Coastal Restoration Fund. Funding for 24 projects will help restore and protect aquatic ecosystems on Canada’s three coasts. This funding is provided under the Oceans Protection Plan.

The Minister’s announcement came at a gathering of over 80 participants from over 40 of the groups who have received funding, directly or as project partners, under the Coastal Restoration Fund.  Participants came together for a three-day workshop to exchange best practices and discuss their coastal habitat protection and recovery efforts.

In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund to help rehabilitate some of our most vulnerable coastlines and protect marine life and ecosystems.

Launched in November 2016, the five-year, $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways. Since the Ocean Protection Plan’s launch, the Government of Canada has invested in hundreds of projects that are making our marine safety system stronger, and protecting our coastal environments and marine species more than ever before.

Bernadette Jordan said: “Through our Oceans Protection Plan, we are partnering with local communities to make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier. The Coastal Restoration Fund provides an opportunity to address threats to marine habitats and species, and I am thrilled that 24 more projects will now be funded to carry our this work. Together we are helping to ensure healthy, thriving coastal habitats on Canada’s three coasts for the benefit of future generations.”