Largest Ontario Community Environment Fund Allocation Supports 26 Projects to Protect Air, Land and Water
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing nearly $3 million in 26 community-led environmental projects across the province as part of its ongoing efforts to improve local ecosystems, strengthen environmental resilience and support healthier communities. The funding represents the largest allocation in the history of the Ontario Community Environment Fund (OCEF), with money collected through environmental penalties imposed on polluters being redirected toward conservation and restoration initiatives.
The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks announced the funding on July 28, saying the projects will focus on improving Ontario’s air, land and water through activities including habitat restoration, invasive species control, shoreline rehabilitation and native tree planting.
“Our government is proud to support community-led projects that deliver real environmental benefits where people live, work and raise their families,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Companies that break Ontario’s environmental rules are held accountable for it, and by putting that money back to work, we can empower our local partners with the resources they need to support their communities, protect our shared environment, and ensure Ontario’s natural spaces can be cherished for generations to come.”
Funding Targets Habitat Restoration and Invasive Species Management
Among the projects receiving support is the Invasive Species Centre, which will receive nearly $286,000 to combat hydrilla at Hillman Marsh in Leamington. The funding will support treatment, monitoring and public outreach efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the invasive aquatic plant.
The Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association has been awarded $120,000 to restore riverbanks and improve fish habitat along the Mindemoya River on Manitoulin Island.
Meanwhile, the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail project will receive $25,000 to remove invasive plant species and restore degraded sections of the trail through native vegetation planting.
The Freshwater Conservation Canada initiative, Brook Trout Forever, has been allocated more than $86,000 to restore habitat for native brook trout populations along Mono Centre Creek.
Province Continues Polluter-Pay Funding Model
Since its launch in 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has invested more than $6.74 million into 134 environmental projects across Ontario. The program is funded through environmental penalties paid by facilities operating in nine industrial sectors, along with certain landfill sites, when environmental violations occur.
According to the province, volunteers have contributed more than 29,000 hours to projects supported by the fund, helping plant over 829,000 trees, shrubs and plants, restore more than 55 kilometres of shoreline and 1,597 acres (646 hectares) of land, while collecting more than 2,000 bags of litter.
For the current funding round, more than $1.6 million has been allocated to projects in Southwestern Ontario, over $721,000 to West Central Ontario and more than $585,000 to Northern Ontario.
Local MPPs Highlight Regional Benefits
Several Ontario Members of Provincial Parliament welcomed the funding, highlighting its environmental and economic benefits for their communities.
“Protecting Ontario’s natural environment is a priority for our government. This investment will support the rapid response to the first detection of hydrilla in Canada, helping protect Hillman Marsh, the Great Lakes, and the ecosystems that are so important to our communities. Our government supports initiatives that preserve our natural environment for future generations.”
– Trevor Jones
MPP, Chatham-Kent—Leamington
“Investing in the rehabilitation of the Mindemoya River is an investment in the long-term health of Manitoulin Island’s waterways, communities, and local economy. Clean, healthy water systems are the foundation of resilient ecosystems, sustainable tourism, and vibrant local industries. By supporting stewardship actions and restoration of the riverbank, we are creating opportunities that benefit both people and nature. I commend the action of local partners and community members whose leadership and dedication are helping to protect the Mindemoya River and ensure a sustainable future for all of Manitoulin Island.”
– Bill Rosenberg
MPP, Algoma—Manitoulin
“By directing polluter penalties back into impacted communities, our government is taking action to build stronger, local environmental resilience. This investment to restore in-stream and riparian habitat on Mono Centre Creek will ensure our community can support local wildlife and its ecosystem by creating a healthier, cleaner environment for years to come.”
– Sylvia Jones
MPP, Dufferin—Caledon
“This provincial funding supports the volunteers who maintain the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail. Locally, this means a safer, better-maintained trail for residents who use it for walking, cycling, and staying active. Our government will continue to support on-the-ground volunteers who are helping protect our environment and outdoor places.”
– Matthew Rae
MPP, Perth—Wellington
“Investments that protect and enhance our local environment are vital to keeping our communities vibrant and healthy. The Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail is a gem in our region, connecting people to our rich rural heritage and natural landscapes. By supporting this project, our government continues to empower local partners to tackle invasive species and restore native greenery so this historic trail can continue to be used and enjoyed in our community to its fullest potential.”
– Lisa Thompson
MPP, Huron—Bruce
Conservation Organizations Welcome Provincial Support
Environmental organizations receiving funding said the investments will strengthen restoration work while expanding volunteer participation and community engagement.
“Forests Canada is proud to advance forest restoration with the Ontario Community Environment Fund through our national Tree Planting Program. We approach our forest restoration work in a systematic way – considering every stage from seed collection and seedling production to planting and long-term survival, and we are honoured to put our knowledge, experience, and network of partners to work benefiting Southwestern Ontario.”
– Jess Kaknevicius
CEO, Forests Canada
“The Invasive Species Centre and our partners are thrilled to receive funding through the Ontario Community Environment Fund. This important investment allows us to protect Hillman Marsh, and other Great Lakes coastal wetlands, from Canada’s only known population of hydrilla. Preventing further spread of this aquatic invasive plant will help protect Ontario’s lakes and streams for years to come.”
– Colin Cassin
Executive Director, Invasive Species Centre
“Receiving project funding from the Ontario Community Environment Fund has allowed Manitoulin Streams to focus on improving the aquatic and riparian habitat along the Mindemoya River to mitigate climate change impacts and protect prime spawning habitat. In addition, community stewardship actions have continued our quest to reduce microplastics from entering our watersheds and phragmites from invading our unique biodiversity on Manitoulin Island.”
– Seija Deschenes
Project Coordinator, Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association
“This investment will help us build on the strong interest already shown by volunteers and communities along the G2G Rail Trail. By supporting citizen science, invasive species management and native planting, the project will create meaningful opportunities for people to care for the trail, while strengthening partnerships with conservation groups, municipalities and other like-minded organizations across the corridor.”
– Willow Hall
Executive Director, Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail
“Freshwater Conservation Canada, along with our partners, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority and the Bruce Trail Conservancy, is working to restore coldwater fish habitat in Mono Centre Creek, a tributary of the Nottawasaga River, along the Bruce Trail. Thanks to funding from the Ontario Community Environment Fund, we will enhance valuable Brook Trout habitat by creating a bypass channel around a pond that is currently too warm, along with shoreline improvements, invasive species management, and tree planting. This project will help build resilience against climate change and support native biodiversity, while engaging community members and Bruce Trail users in on-the-ground restoration activities.”
– Michael McKenzie
Restoration Biologist, Freshwater Conservation Canada
“The Ontario Community Environment Fund is helping us take meaningful action to restore an environmentally significant forest ecosystem while connecting youth directly with conservation efforts. This project will strengthen local biodiversity while giving young people the opportunity to develop skills for life through hands-on environmental stewardship.”
– Tim Bennett
Executive Director, Commercial Ventures, Scouts Canada