Ontario is making up to $1.8 million available for community-led environmental projects aimed at improving water quality, restoring habitats and strengthening the resilience of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
The provincial government announced the fourth round of its Great Lakes Local Action Fund on Sept. 24, inviting eligible organizations to submit proposals for the 2026-27 program. Projects can focus on the Great Lakes as well as the rivers and waterways that connect to the freshwater system.
Funding Targets Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration
The latest funding round is designed to support locally developed projects that can produce measurable environmental benefits. Eligible initiatives may include wetland restoration, pollution reduction, habitat rehabilitation and other work intended to improve the health of waterways connected to the Great Lakes.
The province said successful projects must address at least one of three broad objectives: protecting water quality, improving resilience or restoring Great Lakes ecosystems.
“The Great Lakes hold an impressive 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water – they feed and sustain wildlife, provide jobs and support industries like power generation, agriculture and tourism,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “By investing in local projects through the Great Lakes Local Action Fund, we are protecting a vital natural resource for future generations.”
Beyond their environmental importance, the Great Lakes play a significant role in Ontario’s economy. Communities and businesses across the province rely on the freshwater system for industrial activity, agriculture, energy production, recreation and tourism.
Ontario Has Committed $5.5 Million Since 2021
The Great Lakes Local Action Fund has supported projects across Ontario since 2021. According to the province, $5.5 million has been committed to 107 projects through previous funding rounds.
Those initiatives have included work to restore natural habitats, improve water quality and help communities protect rivers and other waterways that ultimately connect with the Great Lakes.
The new $1.8-million funding round continues the province’s approach of directing resources toward community-level organizations that can address environmental priorities in their own regions.
Ontario said the program is intended to deliver long-term benefits not only for ecosystems and wildlife but also for residents, businesses and communities that depend on healthy waterways.
Applications Open for 2026-27 Great Lakes Projects
Organizations seeking funding under the 2026-27 program will need to demonstrate how their proposed projects contribute to the protection or restoration of the Great Lakes system.
The application deadline is November 6, 2026, giving eligible groups several weeks to prepare and submit proposals.
Projects focused on restoring wetlands could play a role in protecting habitats and improving the ability of local ecosystems to manage environmental pressures. Other eligible initiatives could address sources of pollution or undertake restoration work designed to strengthen aquatic and shoreline habitats.
Great Lakes Remain Important to Ontario Economy
The funding program forms part of Ontario’s broader effort to conserve and restore the Great Lakes and their connecting waterways.
The freshwater system supports a wide range of economic activities across the province. Industries including agriculture, electricity generation and tourism depend on reliable access to clean water, while municipalities and communities rely on healthy watersheds for environmental, recreational and economic purposes.
The province is positioning community participation as one component of its Great Lakes conservation strategy, with locally led projects intended to complement broader environmental protection measures.
With applications now open, the fourth round of the Great Lakes Local Action Fund will provide up to $1.8 million for projects selected under the 2026-27 program. Ontario says the investment is intended to strengthen communities, support businesses that depend on clean water and help maintain healthy natural spaces for future generations.