Canada invests in 17 new projects to help protect Lake Winnipeg
(July 30, 2024 Environment and Climate Change Canada News Release) Canada is taking action to help protect and manage freshwater ecosystems, including the Lake Winnipeg basin. Lake Winnipeg and its basin sustain a diverse range of environmental, economic, and social benefits, such as commercial and recreational fishing and tourism, while also supporting the livelihoods and cultural practices of First Nations and Métis peoples and communities.
Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, announced on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, more than $2.3 million in funding over two years to support 17 partner-led projects under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program.
Through Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program supports federal science and provides funding to partners to improve water quality and reduce nutrient loading to the lake; it enables meaningful participation by Indigenous peoples in freshwater management; and it advances collaboration and knowledge mobilization to support decision-making and action.
Among the projects funded, the University of Manitoba will receive $65,000 over two years to continue to advance knowledge sharing and support evidence-based decision-making on fresh water in the Lake Winnipeg basin through the Canadian Watershed Information Network. This investment will help improve and expand their online information portal and develop mechanisms to store and share Indigenous knowledge in a manner that recognizes Indigenous data sovereignty.
The Manitoba Association of Watersheds will receive more than $205,000 over two years to support efforts in four watershed districts to
protect water quality and reduce nutrient loading, in alignment with their respective integrated watershed management plans. Working with landowners, this project will support the implementation of various management practices, including the construction of water retention sites, riparian enhancement, and wetland restoration and conservation.
Working in collaboration with Swan Lake First Nation, Rootstalk Resources will receive more than $160,000 over the next two years to bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and other conservation organizations to improve watershed health in and around Swan Lake. The program will use Indigenous knowledge and western science to train the next generation of land stewards in watershed health, wetland restoration, and caring for the land.
These partner-led projects will have a positive impact on fresh water and support key priorities of Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan, which is being delivered by the new Canada Water Agency. Today’s announcement is part of Canada’s historical investment of $650 million over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to strengthen the protection and restoration of bodies of fresh water in Canada. This includes an investment of $64.5 million for Lake Winnipeg.
Quotes
“While Lake Winnipeg is appreciated for its sandy beaches, opportunities to fish, and cultural significance to Indigenous peoples, the lake is under strain. Community involvement is key to deliver concrete actions to improve freshwater quality throughout the Lake Winnipeg basin. We are helping Canadians protect and manage this vital resource that is
continued on pages 4-5
Canada invests in 17 new projects to help protect Lake Winnipeg
essential to the health and well-being of people by investing in local partner-led projects.”
– Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water
Quick facts
• Lake Winnipeg is Canada's sixth-largest lake and the eleventh-largest freshwater lake in the world. Its watershed is the second largest in Canada and spans parts of four provinces and four American states.
• The Lake Winnipeg drainage basin has an area of nearly one million square kilometres and is home to nearly seven million people.
• Since 2017, the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program has invested over $11.6 million in grants and contribution funding to support partner-driven, nutrient-reducing actions; collaborative efforts; and Indigenous engagement to improve the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg.
• The Canada Water Agency is the federal focal point for fresh water and will deliver key elements of the Freshwater Action Plan to help improve coordination, collaboration, and partnership with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to respond to Canada’s most pressing freshwater challenges.
Associated links
• Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
• Canada Water Agency
Background Information
Nutrient reduction projects
Fiscal year 2024 to 2025
Project: Manitoba Watershed DistrictsNutrient Reduction
Proponent: Manitoba Association of Watersheds Inc.
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $205,150 over 2 years
This project will advance efforts of four Watershed Districts to work with landowners to implement practices that reduce nutrient loading in their respective watersheds. Funding will support the construction of water retention sites within the Assiniboine West Watershed District and the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District, the conservation and protection of wetland and riparian areas using a conservation auction approach in the East Interlake Watershed District and enhance at risk riparian areas in the Interlake Watershed District.
Project: Improving Lake Winnipeg Water Quality by Engaging Farmers and Ranchers in Restoration Projects in the Assiniboine River Watershed
Proponent: ALUS Canada
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $74,000 over 1 year
This project will enable farmers and ranchers to carry out restoration efforts that minimize nutrient runoff from agricultural lands through an Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program. Funding will support restricting livestock access to water bodies, as well as wetland restoration, creation, and conservation.
Project: Buffer Zone and Riparian Area Enhancement
Proponent: Swan Lake Watershed District
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $60,000 over 1 year
This project will support riparian enhancement projects that help farmers and landowners decrease nutrient runoff to surface water.
Canada invests in 17 new projects to help protect Lake Winnipeg
Project activities include implementation of grassed waterways, riparian management and enhancements including shoreline stabilization and fencing for selected sites. The project will also educate landowners on beneficial management practices that protect water quality.
Project: Wetland Restoration on Highly Visible Corridors
Proponent: The Upper Souris Watershed Association Inc.
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $71,500 over 2 years
This project will restore wetlands adjacent to well-traveled roadways on agricultural and First Nation land and will increase public awareness about the importance of wetlands in preventing phosphorus and other nutrient loading into downstream waterbodies. The sites will serve as a significant visual cue for both residents and the public travelling through.
Project: Identifying Marginal Acres for Nutrient Reduction via Profitability Analysis
Proponent: Assiniboine Watershed Stewardship Association Inc.
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $136,000 over 2 years
This pilot project will address barriers to adoption and incent conversion of marginal cropland to perennial forage cover. Through profitability analysis, cultivated croplands producing a negative economic return will be identified and seeded down into permanent forage. Conversion of marginal land to perennial cover will reduce synthetic fertilizer input, including phosphorus, as well as provide other ecosystem services such as increased infiltration and flood mitigation that protect surface water quality.
Project: Non-Point Source Nutrient Retention in Manitoba
Proponent: Ducks Unlimited Canada
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $275,000 over 1 year
This project will enable Ducks Unlimited Canada to permanently protect intact wetland habitat, ensure long-term (>10 years) security and restoration of affected wetland habitat, and secure (>21 years) and construct retained wetland habitat. Additionally, training sessions for agricultural producers in the Assiniboine and Red River Watersheds will be held to promote the adoption of these best management practices that reduce nutrient runoff into Lake Winnipeg.
Project: Reducing Lake Winnipeg's Phosphorus Load through Wastewater Phosphorus Capture and Agricultural Runoff Minimization
Proponent: Innovantage Inc
Lake Winnipeg Basin Program funding: $150,000 over 2 years
This project will investigate the use of the InnoCyclone technology to capture and remove phosphorus from a wastewater lagoon and reduce the phosphorus load in discharged wastewater. Phosphorus will be recovered through composting of waste sludge. The compost be applied on agricultural land and research undertaken to assess the effectiveness of this nutrient source on crop production, as well as soil heath which can reduce phosphorus runoff from agricultural land.
For details on other funded initiatives, current and historic, go to:
Projects Funded by the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program
Time to Participate in Agroclimate Impact Reporter July Survey
Help Inform Government of Weather Conditions Affecting Your Farm/Ranch
Have you ever considered how charting the weather conditions on your farm or ranch might have an impact on actions by governments?
Data is a key tool used by governments to examine the effects of factors such as droughts and floods on agriculture, and also to decide whether assistance such as compensation will be offered. Producers can help provide information about such impacts to the federal government via the Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR).
AIR helps to connect Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) with people in agriculture. AAFC relies on its network of AIR producer volunteers to provide information regarding agroclimate impacts across the country.
The AIR network provides valuable and reliable data that are mapped and used in the assessment and development of policies and programs including AgriRecovery and the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision, which can provide assistance to the industry during extreme weather and climate conditions and events.
We’re collecting AIR reports for AIR for the month of July. To learn more about AIR, follow this link
To let the Science and Technology Branch of AAFC know what the conditions are like this
month in your area, please respond to one of the links below:
English French
To view previous Agroclimate Impact maps, follow this link. Or see some of the other resources we produce on the AAFC Weather and Drought home page.
The AIR survey is open during the last week of the month over the growing season (April to October) and is intended to collect weather and climate impacts on farm operations across Canada over the previous month. Survey results are made into maps and published on the Drought Watch website the first week of every month during the growing season. Impact maps are also available and cover topics such as: moisture and erosion, crop, hay and pasture quality and staging, feed production and availability, water supply and quality and much more. See: https://www.agr.gc.ca/DWGS/mapselectorselecteurdecartes.jspx?lang=eng&jsEnabled=tru e
For more information about AIR and how to enrol to complete the surveys go to www.agr.gc.ca/air . All information collected through the surveys is confidential.
Protecting animals during transport in hot and humid weather
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reminds everyone involved in the transport process to take appropriate measures to protect animals from the effects of extreme weather.
Animal welfare is a shared responsibility and collaboration between regulated parties is required. Every person transporting animals in Canada is legally obligated to ensure that no part of the journey is likely to cause suffering, injury or death.
Regulations apply to anyone involved directly or indirectly in the transport process which includes animal owners, producers, shippers, drivers, and operators of abattoirs, assembly centres and feedlots. This includes preparation for loading, loading the animals, holding animals on a stationary vehicle, transporting and unloading them.
When the weather is hot and humid, extra measures must be taken to protect every animal from potential suffering, injury, or death that would be caused by, or made worse by, inadequate ventilation and weather conditionsFootnote1.
Extra measures may include:
• delay loading and transport during extremely hot periods
• reduce loading density
• minimize stress when handling animals to prevent overheating
• contingency plans and procedures (SOP) for hot and humid weather (for example, what to do in case of traffic jam, mechanical breakdown or accident, or if the unloading is delayed at destination, etc.)
• having arrangements made in advance or call ahead and communicate when delivering animals to avoid any unloading delays at destination (for example, just in time for slaughter or immediate unloading to holding areas, redirect the load to another slaughter establishment or holding facility, establish a system allowing the transporter to drive around to allow for ventilation, providing water, etc.)
• provide sufficient ventilation at all times, including when the vehicle is stopped, during the loading operations and when animals are confined in the vehicle while waiting to be unloaded ‐Always consider ventilation, especially when stopped
• monitor weather conditions closely and adjust ventilation accordingly
• park in the shade
• minimize the stop number, and duration to prevent the build‐up of heat
For additional information, consult the species specific National Farm Animal Care Council's Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals.
When the agency identifies non‐compliance with the legislation it administers and enforces (in this case, the Health of Animals Regulations, and the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations), it has a number of tools it can use to respond. Learn more about compliance and enforcement activities.
See Humane transport and animal welfare for more information on livestock transport requirements in Canada, including transport
Protecting animals during transport in hot and humid weather
practices, provincial requirements, fitness for transport and special provisions.
See Humane treatment of food animals at the slaughter establishment and Guidelines for the humane care and handling of food animals at slaughter for more information on the care of the food animals before being slaughtered at a federally licenced slaughter establishment.
Footnote
Footnote 1
Sections 146 and 150(1)c) of the Health of Animals Regulations (HAR)
Section 128 and 130 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) FORE!
Directors Mark Schram (District 2), Brian English (District 6) and Steven Manns (District 5) represented MBP at the Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament in Killarney on August 1.
Our thanks to the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association (MLMA) for organizing the event.
Encouraging all Canadians to "leaf" a mark during Tree Check Month
(August 1, 2024 CFIA News Release) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proud to mark Tree Check Month this August. This annual campaign urges Canadians to thoroughly inspect trees and plants in their backyards, gardens, parks, and vehicles for invasive pests.
Many insects, diseases, and pests can cause extensive and lasting harm to our environment, agriculture, and economy. They often spread through human actions like transporting firewood and vehicle travel between regions. The emerald ash borer has been particularly devastating to ash trees across Canada, leading to extensive ecological and economic losses. Likewise, spongy moth poses a significant threat by stripping various hardwood species of their foliage.
The most effective way to manage these harmful invaders is to prevent their spread before they cause irreparable damage.
You can take several steps to protect our forests and other plants from these threats:
• Learn what to be on the look out for in your community! Canada is vast with many different climates so not all pests are evenly distributed across the country. Visit the CFIA's website to learn about invasive insects and plant diseases specific to your community.
• Look for unusual or sudden changes in tree health, such as leaf discoloration, bark cracks, holes, and tunnels beneath peeled bark.
• Inspect! Before and after trips, inspect your vehicle, RV, trailer, boat, and other outdoor equipment for insects (egg masses as well as adults), seeds, plant debris and soil. This helps prevent the accidental transport of pests to new areas.
• Report! If you suspect the presence of invasive pests, report them to the CFIA immediately so that our inspectors can take action and prevent further spread.
• Prevent spread! Don't move firewood. Insects and their eggs can hide under the
bark. Instead, purchase firewood locally and burn it where you buy it
You can also join the CFIA's Plant Health Hero challenge. Complete the activity book, invite friends, family, and neighbours to explore the outdoors, inspect their trees, and share photos on social media during the month of August using #TreeCheckMonth. Help us spread awareness!
Healthy plants contribute to clean air, water, and soil, support wildlife habitats, and provide essential resources for the agriculture and forestry industries. By working together to safeguard our pristine green spaces, Canadians can make a positive impact on the health of people, animals, the environment, and the economy.
Quotes
"Healthy plants and trees are crucial for our food and agriculture industries, forestry sector, and the environment. As we celebrate Tree Check Month, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency encourages everyone to protect these important resources by learning how to check the trees in your area for signs of invasive pests."
– Paul MacKinnon, President, CFIA
Quick facts
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has made August Tree Check Month to encourage people to help protect Canada's trees from invasive species and pests.
• The emerald ash borer (EAB) attacks and kills ash trees by burrowing beneath the bark and disrupting the tree's nutrient flow. EAB spreads through the transport of infested firewood and nursery stock, as well as natural flight. To prevent the spread of EAB, avoid moving firewood and inspect ash trees regularly for signs such as:
o D-shaped exit holes in the bark
o Serpentine patterns under the bark
o Sudden canopy dieback
o Increased woodpecker activity
• Spongy moth is an invasive species whose larvae can defoliate a wide range of
Encouraging all Canadians to "leaf" a mark during Tree Check Month
deciduous trees and shrubs and significantly impact forest ecosystems and urban landscapes. To help prevent its spread, individuals should:
o Look for fuzzy, tan-coloured egg masses on tree trunks, branches, and other outdoor surfaces.
o Educate themselves about spongy moth larvae and adults to aid in early detection and control efforts.
• Another significant threat that is not yet in Canada is the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that feeds on a wide range of plants, including grapevines.
• Other pests of concern include the box tree moth, which devastates boxwood plants, and the Japanese beetle, a destructive pest targeted by eradication efforts in British Columbia, which also remain critical concerns for Canadian agriculture and
ecosystems. While not a pest, Oak Wilt is a devastating disease that affects oak trees across North America, leading to rapid tree decline and death.
Associated links
• Stop the spread and help keep invasive species out of Canada
• Inspect & Protect: podcasts, videos, articles and more about plant health
• Calling all budding #JuniorCFIA scientists
• Learn about Invasive Species
• Raising the bar for plant health awareness in Canada and around the world
• List of pests regulated by Canada
• Plant pest surveillance
• Hazards of moving firewood
• Plant pest cards and fact sheets
• Awareness resources for invasive species
