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MP for Winnipeg South Terry Duguid (Mikaela MacKenzie \/ Free Press files)<\/p>\n
Lake Winnipeg is one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world and its watershed spans parts of four provinces and four American states. It is vulnerable to high levels of nutrients caused by agricultural runoff, sewage and other contaminants that create large algae blooms and affect fisheries.<\/p>\n
The $2 million in new funding will go toward 16 projects managed by local organizations, including several Indigenous-led projects.<\/p>\n
Nearly a quarter of the funding we be doled out to the Manitoba Association of Watersheds, which will receive $490,000 over two years for a project to reduce excess nutrients from entering waterways by working with land owners, managers and various provincial watershed districts.<\/p>\n
When asked how the association will work with its southern counterparts due to ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions, association executive director Lynda Nicol said collaboration is crucial.<\/p>\n
Nicol said the relationships between the various organizations are \u201cas strong as they\u2019ve ever been been.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s long history and tremendous respect between organizations, both those here within Manitoba, but also across multi-jurisdictional boundaries into the U.S.,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Southern Chiefs Organization will receive $130,000 over two years for its water monitoring program. The funding will support the establishment of water sampling standard operating procedures for the SCO to share with member nations\u2019 chiefs and councils.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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Grand Chief Jerry Daniels called the funding an important opportunity to build a national approach that reflects the experiences, priorities and knowledge of First Nations communities.<\/p>\n
The Canada Water Agency is at the helm of the funding, just under a year after the federal government trimmed $3.8 million from its multi-year budget. The fledgling agency is nearing its two-year anniversary.<\/p>\n
Duguid, who was instrumental in establishing the water agency, said he isn\u2019t worried about the future of the projects under its care, and he expects more funding to come its way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s doing good work, and with the national water security strategy, I see only increased responsibilities and and growth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n
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Nicole Buffie Nicole Buffie is a reporter for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College\u2019s Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom as a multimedia producer in 2023. Read more about Nicole<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Multimedia producer
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