The government of Ontario is investing $7.47 million to protect and restore the Great Lakes.

The funding will be used to support projects that address the increased levels of pollutants, excess nutrients, and rising levels of invasive species.

“The Great Lakes are an important part of our province’s economic prosperity and the well-being of our communities,” said the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Jeff Yurek.

“Our government is committed to working with our partners and investing in on-the-ground projects that will help protect and restore our water resources and improve the health of the Great Lakes so they are safe and beautiful for everyone to enjoy.”

Around $5.8 million is being provided to 65 Great Lakes projects run by communities, organizations, universities and Indigenous peoples.

Some of these projects include reducing the time it takes to test water quality at two Toronto beaches, implementing contaminant reduction practices in key watersheds, and removing the breakwater barrier at Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority has applied for funding to help with staff costs for its Runoff Based Monitoring program in Spencer Creek.

The government says they will also be investing $1.67 million into projects to protect the health of coastal, shoreline, and nearshore areas of the Great Lakes, as well as the rivers that flow into them.

The Great Lakes is known as the largest lake system in the world with 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water found in them.