The governments of Canada and Quebec are determined to protect the St. Lawrence River through joint scientific research, conservation, restoration, and collaborative projects, with the support of their partners. From a desire to continue this collaboration, which has existed for more than thirty years, the governments have jointly committed to making the St. Lawrence a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations.
Today, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and Quebec’s Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region, Benoit Charette, announced that the governments of Canada and Quebec will invest $39 million and $25 million respectively over five years for the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence River. These investments are part of the new 2021–2026 program under the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, also referred to as the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011–2026.
The new program consists of thirty-two joint projects that will enable the governments of Canada and Quebec to continue their concerted efforts in three main areas: ensuring the continued use of the St. Lawrence, contributing to protecting its biodiversity, and improving the quality of its water. Activities to monitor the state of the St. Lawrence and support community-based initiatives will also continue.
The collaboration of a number of departments of the governments of Canada and Quebec will also make it possible to pool the scientific knowledge and expertise of both governments to ensure that concerted action is taken for the health and future of the St. Lawrence. Photo of Léon Provancher Ecological Reserve, Neuville, Société Provancher
