NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY- Northern Ontario is a safe haven for an abundance of fish, birds and wildlife. Investing in our nature and water will help support the health of land, create jobs in our local communities and support the Government of Canada's efforts to combat climate change. This is an important part of the solution as we build a more sustainable nation while our economy continues to safely reopen.

Today, Marc G. Serré, MP for Nickel Belt, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jonathan Wilkinson, announced over $275,000 in funding for Indigenous communities in Northern Ontario ridings including Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury. Projects will address the decline in biodiversity, empower the communities to fight climate change, protect the Great Lakes, create good jobs and deliver positive, measurable results for residents in Northern Ontario.

Wahnapitae First Nation will receive $52,205 over two years to undertake baseline investigations into species at risk bat populations through habitat evaluation, field investigations, acoustic monitoring and community outreach. The activities will take place within boreal forest and lake shoreline habitats and exposed rock structures on Wahnapitae reserve lands.

The Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation will receive $30,000 under the Aboriginal Funds for Species at Risk Program to undertake habitat surveys, and community outreach focused on bat species at risk within the territory of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation.

The Henvey Inlet First Nation, in partnership with McMaster University, will receive $99,431 over two years to initiate a coastal wetland monitoring program in support of the Canada-US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This funding will support First Nations youth and elders in monitoring within their traditional territory. This project will focus on fish habitat in coastal marshes and Blanding’s turtles.

The Shawanaga First Nation will receive $94,749 over two years to monitor the local watershed in order to protect their walleye fishery and hatchery programs from the increasing impact of climate change on their land. Through this project, the First Nation will develop an aquatic monitoring program to assess the impacts of pollution, nutrient enrichment, and climate change on the Great Lakes environment, and to develop community capacity.

Quotes

“Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the lands & waterways since time immemorial. Our government is pleased to support First Nations leadership in safeguarding our natural environment—for now and for generations to come.”

– The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change 

“Protecting nature and empowering our Indigenous communities is crucial for Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury and Northern Ontario to prosper. The $275,000 announced today will ensure the proper monitoring and protection initiatives are accessible to help preserve the vitality of our ecosystems and of the varied species who inhabit them.”

– Marc G. Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

“We’re pleased to see support for this project, as bats are considered pollinators and they are important for seed dispersal and are considered an effective pest control, as they are able to consume 30 to 50% of their of body weight in one feeding. With a desktop habitat evaluation, field investigation, bat detection monitoring, and community outreach, this important project will be the first step towards ensuring that this species is further protected within our area.” – Chief Roque, Wahnapitae First Nation

“Atikameksheng Anishnawbek is pleased to have received funds to support necessary community engagement to educate our members, to document our traditional knowledge, and to inform any future species at risk monitoring and protection efforts.This project will also support us in advancing environmental and species protection priorities outlined in our Forest Management Plan and Environmental Management Action Plan. Miigwetch to the funders, we are excited to continue this research and community engagement to support our understanding and protection of this important species within our lands.” -Gimaa Craig Nootchtai, Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation

Quick facts

• The Great Lakes contain one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth – sustaining 4,000 species of plants and animals.
• The Great Lakes region represents the third-largest economy in the world, if measured as a country. It supplies 51 million jobs or nearly 30 percent of the combined American and Canadian workforce.

Associated links

• Funding for Great Lakes Protection
• Canada Water Agency Online Consultations

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Contact
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222