Government of Canada announces additional projects

Barrie, ON – February 27, 2009 – Canada’s Environment Minister Jim Prentice, joined by the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, and local member of Parliament Patrick Brown, announced today the second group of projects under the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund.

“We're investing in projects that will help to ensure a healthy future for Lake Simcoe. The lake is a key part of Canada's natural environment, and is also an important resource that provides safe drinking water for eight municipalities and generates more than $200 million a year for the local economy through recreational activities,” said Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

Initiatives funded by the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund are designed to preserve and protect the environment of Lake Simcoe. Twenty-six projects will receive a total of $4,732,031 as part of an overall investment of $30 million over five years, which was announced in February 2008.

This investment to clean up Lake Simcoe is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Clean Water, which includes projects like the Health of the Oceans initiative to protect Canada’s three oceans, the cleanup of Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour, and action on pollution in Lake Winnipeg.