The organization logo for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative (image via glslcities.org)
Kincardine Council has given its support in working to secure a $1 billion investment from the federal government for the Freshwater Action Plan.
The Municipality of Kincardine is one of around 200 municipal organizations members that are a part of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
Mayor Kenneth Craig explained to council when the motion was being tabled that the purpose of the initiative is to support environmental stewardship and protect the natural environment.
He says that one of the initiatives for the GLSLCI is “to advocate for the billion-dollar commitment that the federal government had made in their budget a couple of years ago. They’d committed $200 million a year for five years.”
The federal government has so far only committed $19.6 million in funding since that promise was made, which is why the motion was tabled.
“It’s just an opportunity to petition the government to carry through on their promise.”
The support from council would also help with the implementation of the Canada Water Agency, which is expected to help with accelerating the rollout of funding that would be made available through the initiative.
The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities initiative supports protecting source water, as well as ensuring safe and affordable water services to residents, as well as building up a sustainable blue economy in the Great Lakes and St Lawrence River Basin.
According to the World Bank, a blue economy is the sustainable use of water resources for economic growth and livelihoods while maintaining the ecosystem.