Largest funding round in program’s history to protect Ontario’s air, land and water
July 31 2026
News
Wawa —The Ontario government is investing $34,176.00 in Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association to build cleaner, healthier communities and strong local economies in Algoma—Manitoulin. This funding will support Lake Superior Sandy Beach Shoreline Protection and Education Initiative Protecting fragile dune ecosystems by guiding public use through signage, education activities and designated pathways to reduce environmental degradation.
This investment is part of a historic $3 million allocated this year through the Ontario Community Environment Fund – marking the largest round of funding in the program’s history and delivering on the government’s plan to protect Ontario by using penalties paid by polluters to fund projects that protect Ontario’s land, air and water such as shoreline cleanups, habitat restoration and 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.”
Since 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has invested over $6.74 million from environmental penalties into 134 projects across the province.
See the full list of projects receiving funding this year.
As part of its plan to protect Ontario, the province will continue to hold polluters accountable while supporting cleaner, healthier and more resilient communities across the province.
Quick Facts
· Since 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has invested more than $6.74 million from environmental penalties into 134 projects, engaging volunteers in over 29,000 hours of activities such as planting over 829,000 trees, shrubs and plants, restoring over 55 km of shoreline and 1,597 acres of land (646 hectares), and collecting over 2,000 bags of litter.
· For this funding round, over $1,602,000 was available in Southwestern Ontario, over $721,000 in West Central Ontario, and over $585,000 in Northern Ontario. · The Ontario Community Environment Fund uses funds collected through environmental penalties issued to facilities in nine industrial sectors and specific landfilling sites when certain violations occur.