Canada and Ontario are working together to protect and conserve biodiversity, habitat, and species at risk in Ontario by expanding and establishing new protected areas. Protecting and conserving species at risk, and their habitat, requires collaboration. The Governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to protect environmentally sensitive land throughout the province.
Today, Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Honourable Andrea Khanjin, Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, announced a federal investment of nearly $10 million over three years to support the expansion of protected areas in the province. The agreement will see the addition of new-or expansion of existing-protected areas, including provincial parks and conservation reserves across Ontario.
Canada's investment is made through the Enhanced Nature Legacy program and contributes to Canada's goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water in Canada by 2030. This funding will allow Ontario to expedite protection of forests, wetlands, and other ecologically sensitive areas. This will include the protection of acquired land in central and southern Ontario-areas which are home to rare ecosystem types and the highest biodiversity in the province. This work will result in the protection of up to 170,000 hectares (more than 420,000 acres).
The Government of Canada has supported the Ontario Land Trust Alliance to work with land trusts and the province to recognize more privately protected areas in Canada's Protected and Conserved Areas Database. The Ontario Land Trust Alliance has received more than $107,000 over three years in support of these efforts, and to strengthen securement tools such as conservation easements to further increase the amount of land protected by land trusts.
Expanding protected and conserved natural areas is one of the most important actions to help curb the ongoing loss of nature and biodiversity. It also helps to reduce pollution and sequester more carbon in the fight against climate change and provide more opportunities for Canadians to connect with nature, promoting physical activity and supporting mental health.
By working together, Ontario is helping with Canada's domestic and international biodiversity commitments, including the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
