News Release

Government of Canada's Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund supports Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

BRADFORD, Ont. -- January 13, 2012 -- The Honourable Peter Van Loan, the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for York-Simcoe, on behalf of Canada’s Minister of the Environment, the Honourable Peter Kent today highlighted the Government of Canada's efforts to clean up Lake Simcoe.

As part of the seventh round of projects under the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund, the Government of Canada has invested $60,125 to support the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Scanlon Creek Subwatershed Plan Implementation project.

“I am pleased to recognize the important work being done through the Scanlon Creek Subwatershed Plan. This project--like all the projects that have been supported by the Government of Canada’s $30 Million Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund--is not only investing in the health of the lake, but also in the future of our region,” said Minister Van Loan.

“Canadians who work, live, or enjoy recreation around Lake Simcoe have already benefited from the Government of Canada’s efforts to clean up the lake. These efforts have helped to improve water quality, fish communities, and the lake’s ability to sustain recreation and tourism. I am proud to say that our government has supported approximately 160 local projects to help restore and preserve the health of Lake Simcoe,” said Minister Kent.

The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority’s Scanlon Creek Subwatershed Plan Implementation project provides financial incentives to help five to ten landowners implement best management practices to reduce phosphorus inputs to Scanlon Creek, and to enhance fish habitats. The project will also support community-based, demonstration and pilot program initiatives to strengthen public interest and participation in environmental stewardship activities within the watershed.

“The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund has been a tremendous asset to the work of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and our partners over the past several years by helping advance our goal of returning the lake to its healthy, life-giving state. This funding will allow LSRCA and our partners to focus restoration and protection efforts in the Scanlon Creek Subwatershed through a variety of environmental improvement projects,” said Virginia Hackson, Mayor of East Gwillimbury and Chair, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is part of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean Water which was announced in the 2007 Speech from the Throne. It includes projects like the Health of the Oceans initiative to protect Canada’s three oceans, the clean-up of contaminated sediment in Great Lakes Areas of Concern, and action on pollution in Lake Winnipeg.

For more information, please contact:

Adam Sweet
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

Environment Canada’s Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/environmentca

Environment Canada’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/environmentcan