2025-2026 Departmental Results Report

ISSN: 3111-2137 

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Canada Water Agency
510-234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 1M8
Canada

Email: water-eau@cwa-aec.gc.ca

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency, 2026

Aussi disponible en français sous le titre : Rapport sur les résultats ministériels de 2025 à 2026

• Description
• Quality of life impacts
• Progress on results
• Details on results
• Key risks
• Resources required to achieve results
• Related government priorities
• Program inventory

Results achieved

Through Service to Canadians:

• Via the Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives (FEIs), support regionally-responsive freshwater actions, including through governance, science, and diverse knowledge systems to improve ecosystem health in significant waterbodies across Canada.
  
  FEIs are a key element of the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan (FWAP). Through FEIs, the Agency addresses regional challenges and priorities through on-the-ground actions, strong partnerships, sound science and knowledge, collaborative governance, and effective stewardship. There are eight FEIs: the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, St. Lawrence River, Wolastoq/Saint John River, Fraser River, Mackenzie River, and Lake Simcoe. The geographic extent of FEIs cover approximately 90% of Canada’s population and 40% of Canada’s surface area. 
  
  Each ecosystem described below faces unique challenges, but some common objectives include improving water quality, reducing nutrient pollution, restoring habitat, strengthening Indigenous participation, and improving the science and understanding needed to support decision-making.
  
  Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  Through Budget 2023, the Government of Canada committed $420 million over 10 years in new funding to protect and restore the Great Lakes under the FWAP. This investment will help to target the most significant environmental challenges affecting the Great Lakes through delivering on Canada’s commitments under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 
  
  In 2025-2026, the Canada Water Agency committed $9.3 million for 26 new projects under the Great Lakes FEI. These investments were intended to help to restore Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs), prevent toxic and nuisance algae, restore and protect critically important coastal areas including wetlands, and support community-based science. 
  
  AOCs are specific Great Lakes locations, such as rivers, harbours, and embayments, where water quality and ecosystem health have been severely degraded by human activity at the local level. Canada is responsible for 12 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes and shares responsibility with the United States for five binational AOCs. 
  
  Through collaborative efforts in 2025-2026, the Agency supported progress toward a major milestone of completing all remedial actions by 2026 in six AOCs: Nipigon Bay, Peninsula Harbour, St. Clair River, Port Hope Harbour, Bay of Quinte, and the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall/Akwesasne). In August 2026, the Nipigon Bay AOC was delisted, which was a culmination of 40 years of collaborative effort. The other five AOCs where remedial actions have been completed continue to advance through monitoring, assessment, and engagement activities needed before delisting can occur. The delisting of these five AOCs is expected to occur by 2030.
  
  Work is continuing at the remaining AOCs to complete outstanding remedial actions and advance delisting. These investments are keeping Canada on track to complete all remedial actions in 12 of the 14 AOCs targeted by 2030, and in all 14 by 2038.
  
  In 2025-2026, the Agency worked with the Province of Ontario and local partners to implement actions, monitor results, and engage interested communities on restoration decisions in the remaining AOCs. In addition, the Agency continued to provide funding to Indigenous communities to support their capacity to partake in decision-making for monitoring, assessment, and restoration initiatives.
  
  As part of reducing toxic and nuisance algae, the FWAP aims to achieve Canada's Lake Erie phosphorous load reduction target by 2039 through the increasing adoption of a ‘precision conservation approach’, which implements phosphorous load reduction measures in areas that are high-risk for nutrient loss. This involves data-driven approaches to identify high-risk locations for phosphorous loss to the waterways that drain to Lake Erie and investing in partner-led projects that increase participation in the application of phosphorous load reduction measures by supporting innovative approaches and best management practices. In 2025-2026, the Canada Water Agency supported the implementation of over 4,000 Best Management Practices on over 900 farms or 130,000 hectares to reduce nutrient loadings to Lake Erie. The Agency is also providing dedicated funding to reduce toxic and nuisance algae in Lake Ontario, including three new projects in 2025-2026 to address phosphorous loads. 
  
  As part of reducing releases of harmful chemicals, under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Agency has been working with the U.S. to cooperatively review and evaluate progress towards implementing binational strategies for Chemicals of Mutual Concern (CMCs) and adapt management approaches and other actions as required. In 2025-2026, the Agency initiated a review of the screening criteria, process, and strategies for designating new CMCs with the aim of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the nomination process for CMCs. The Agency also worked with the United States to make progress on reviewing four nominated Chemicals of Mutual Concern: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, lead, radionuclides, and microplastics. 
  
  Additionally, the Agency continued to support partner-led projects that evaluate technologies to reduce or eliminate the use and releases of harmful chemicals or gather the information necessary to improve chemicals life cycle management. In 2025-2026, the Agency completed a two-year study to develop a fast, low-cost test kit for two chemicals associated with rubber products: one that helps prevent rubber from breaking down (6PPD) and the other (6PPDQ) that is a result of 6PPD’s interaction with the environment. Both chemicals can harm aquatic life. To raise awareness of this issue and support research and regulatory efforts, the test kit was shared with Toronto residents, government agencies, researchers, and non-profit organizations in Canada and the United States. An unexpected result from this project was the discovery of a non-toxic, cost-effective method to rapidly remove 6PPD from rubber before application. As part of the 2026-2027 FEI funding stream, the Agency will support the development of this treatment package and facilitate collaboration between the researcher and the rubber industry to guide efforts to mitigate 6PPDQ releases.
  
  Another aspect of the Great Lakes FEI is restoring and protecting Great Lakes coastal areas, which provide some of the most ecologically diverse and productive ecosystems in the Great Lakes basin. Great Lakes nearshore waters are experiencing the cumulative impacts of multiple stressors, including increasing urbanization, agricultural and chemical runoff, and climate change impacts. In 2025-2026, the Agency promoted the stewardship of nearshore and coastal wetland systems through site visits with partners, webinars, and an annual symposium with the Great Lakes conservation community to foster collaboration, learning, and promotion of projects that enhance water quality, ecosystem health, and the resilience of coastal areas, including coastal wetlands.
  
  The Agency is investing in partner-led efforts to study coastal processes and implement nature-based solutions to restore shoreline conditions, reduce erosion, and improve the health of local beaches and nearshore habitats. For example, the Agency is providing funding to Maitland Valley Conservation Authority for a project to restore and protect natural sediment transport pathways along Lake Huron’s southern shores, which will enhance climate resilience along 56 km of the southern Lake Huron shoreline, increase coastal resilience, and improve habitat for fish and aquatic life. The project involves collaborations with engineers, scientists, and First Nations partners. The Saugeen Ojibway Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash are contributing to this project through leadership in fisheries monitoring, nearshore data collection, and interpretation of habitat function.
  
  The Agency is working with local organizations and community-based scientists to build a stronger, more connected freshwater science network. Through the Great Lakes FEI, the Agency is mobilizing community knowledge to inform water management decisions across the Great Lakes basin. In December 2025, the Agency hosted a virtual Community-Based Science Roundtable which brought together community-based science practitioners from across Ontario, including Indigenous partners. The roundtable provided an opportunity for Great Lakes FEI funding recipients to showcase their projects and for organizations engaged in community-based science to build relationships and exchange knowledge. Discussions covered topics such as recruiting volunteers, expanding collaborations across larger geographic areas, and best practices for data sharing. 
  
  Lake Winnipeg Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  Nutrient loading into Lake Winnipeg from multiple sources across the basin continues to impact water quality, alongside other contaminants. Among other ecosystem health impacts, this includes an increased risk of widespread algal blooms. The Lake Winnipeg FEI helps alleviate this impact by funding actions that restore water quality and the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg. This includes supporting actions that reduce phosphorous loading, advancing freshwater science and monitoring, and strengthening Indigenous engagement on freshwater issues. 
  
  In 2025-2026, through the Lake Winnipeg FEI, the Agency invested $1.6 million over three years in 10 partner-led projects to reduce nutrient loading to the Lake and enhance engagement of Indigenous peoples in freshwater stewardship across the basin. This builds on the more than $15.1 million invested from 2017 to 2024, reinforcing the Government of Canada's long-term commitment to addressing Lake Winnipeg freshwater issues.
  
  Additionally, to help accelerate nutrient reduction efforts, and maximize outcomes of federal investments, the Lake Winnipeg FEI initiated development and implementation of a delivery framework, in collaboration with government and non-government partners, to test and evaluate more targeted options and approaches to reduce nutrient loading to Lake Winnipeg, focusing on known higher phosphorous contributing areas. A key outcome in 2025-2026 included the development of a priority areas map, based on best available information and expert knowledge, identifying areas of phosphorous runoff.
  This map was used to direct the 2026-2027 Lake Winnipeg FEI Nutrient Reduction Call for Applications and is available to inform the efforts of other partners and stakeholders.
  
  The Agency’s Lake Winnipeg Webinar Series supports knowledge mobilization on freshwater quality topics relevant to the Lake Winnipeg Basin, supporting decision making across the basin. This series shares up to date federal and local research, outcomes, and partner-led projects supported through Lake Winnipeg FEI Grants and Contributions funding. In 2025-26, the Lake Winnipeg FEI hosted 8 webinars, which reached over 430 people.
  
  Indigenous peoples are key partners of the Lake Winnipeg FEI. To increase opportunities for Indigenous-led projects, a new pilot approach was developed in 2025-2026 that created an early Letter of Intent stage for dialogue on shared freshwater priorities and reduced barriers to applying for funding. The pilot provided greater flexibility for applicants facing capacity challenges, including limited access to reliable high-speed internet and government application portals. These changes resulted in a threefold increase in submissions to the Letter of Intent stage of the 2026–2027 Cultivating Collaboration and Indigenous Stream call for applications. 
  
  Achieving outcomes for Lake Winnipeg is anticipated to be a long-term endeavor and requires participation of many partners and stakeholders. Collaborative efforts through the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin continued, including the completion of a management review to support the renewal of this MOU which expires in August 2026. 
  
  Lake of the Woods Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  Toxic and nuisance algae have been identified as challenges affecting aquatic ecosystem health of Lake of the Woods. In 2025-2026, the Agency supported projects that are reducing toxic and nuisance algae in Lake of the Woods through actions focused on managing and reducing nutrient pollution. For example, the Agency funded a project by the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation that is developing a collaborative phosphorous management plan for the Canadian portions of the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods basin. This involves bringing together local experts and partners (e.g., agricultural producers, Indigenous rightsholders) to identify opportunities for phosphorous management. The Agency also funded a project by Trent University that is assessing how farming practices affect phosphorous and sediment delivery in the Lower Rainy River basin, in addition to demonstrating and evaluating easy-to-deploy phosphorous best management practices.
  
  St. Lawrence River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  The Canada–Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, also known as the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP) 2011–2026, demonstrated the value of a strong federal-provincial partnership, bringing together the expertise and resources of 19 departments and agencies to advance shared priorities by conserving biodiversity, improving water quality, and fostering sustainable use of the St. Lawrence River. Examples of federal-provincial projects included the implementation of a response plan for preventing the spread of invasive freshwater mussels in Quebec; a voluntary speed reduction measure implemented to mitigate bank erosion by commercial vessels; and research conducted on the risks associated with the presence of cyanobacteria and pesticides in freshwater aquatic organisms. 
  
  As the current agreement concluded in March 2026, Canada and Quebec have continued to strengthen their collaboration through negotiations toward a renewed agreement for 2026–2036. This renewed commitment reflects a shared vision to safeguard the St. Lawrence ecosystem for future generations while enhancing coordinated action on emerging environmental priorities.
  
  In 2025-2026, the Agency distributed over $570,000 in funding for 11 multi-year projects under the Community Interaction Program of the St. Lawrence Action Plan (eight of which concluded in 2025–2026 and three that will continue into the 2026–2027 fiscal year) to help protect important ecological systems (e.g., wetlands, rivers, coastal environments) and restore aquatic and riparian habitats. The projects funded also involved riverside communities, including First Nations, where funding supported Indigenous-led projects, strengthening partnerships, fostering local capacity, and advancing shared priorities.
  
  Additionally, the Agency invested $1.1 million in the Priority Intervention Zones (PIZ) Program, supporting Stratégies Saint-Laurent and a network of 11 PIZ committees. The program fostered collaboration among stakeholders along the St. Lawrence River and strengthened engagement and partnerships among communities, municipalities, and organizations. 
  
  Wolastoq/Saint John River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  In the Wolastoq/Saint John River FEI, data gaps and ongoing water quality issues have created challenges for understanding watershed health and effective freshwater management. To help address these gaps and enhance collaboration on freshwater priorities, the Agency provided targeted investments to advance foundational knowledge and science, foster partnerships, and support partner-led actions in the watershed. For example, research by the Canadian Rivers Institute improved understanding of watershed health by examining the role of benthic invertebrates in the ecosystem.
  
  The Agency also strengthened partnerships and collaboration to advance shared freshwater priorities, support regional governance, and support Indigenous-led initiatives for freshwater stewardship. For example, the Agency provided targeted investments to support the development of a First Nations-led Watershed Management Plan through the Wəlastəkw Watershed Stewardship Committee. 
  
  In 2025-2026, the Agency invested over $850,000 in new funding to support six new projects under the Wolastoq/Saint John River FEI. This investment targeted nutrient reduction, improved understanding of pollutants and algae impacts, and increased Indigenous capacity in freshwater stewardship actions. At the same time, work continued for eight multi-year projects initiated in prior years.
  
  Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  The Fraser River is British Columbia’s largest river system and a globally significant wild Pacific salmon habitat. Its watershed is home to nearly two-thirds of B.C.’s population and faces ongoing pressures from urbanization, industrial development, agricultural runoff, and other sources of pollution that threaten water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. 
  
  In 2025-2026, the Fraser River FEI supported nine partner-led projects valued at over $700,000 that are improving water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Fraser River Basin through advancing science and knowledge, collaboration and engagement, and on-the-ground actions to reduce nutrients and contaminants. For example, projects are helping agricultural landholders adopt practices that reduce contamination risks, restoring riparian areas and wetlands to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution, and bringing together Indigenous and Western knowledge to identify ecosystem stressors and restoration priorities. Together, these actions are intended to reduce pollution, strengthen aquatic ecosystems, and improve the health of the Fraser River Basin.
  
  The Fraser River FEI continues to develop an approach to state of aquatic ecosystem reporting through assessment of the state of science and knowledge about the basin. Discussions with partners continue to identify opportunities for collaborative approaches to improve water quality and aquatic ecosystem health of the Fraser River.
  
  Mackenzie River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  Across the vast Mackenzie River Basin, which represents 20% of Canada’s landmass, significant knowledge gaps limit understanding of how climate change, resource development, changing sediment loads, contaminants, and other emerging stressors are affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. In 2025-2026, the new Mackenzie River FEI invested nearly $500,000 in six new partner-led projects focused on foundational efforts necessary to protect and restore the health of the Mackenzie River. These projects targeted advancing science and knowledge; Indigenous knowledge, capacity-building and engagement; and enabling resiliency and adaptation. One project included supporting a workshop in the Northwest Territories that helped bridge Indigenous Knowledge and Western science knowledge systems to better understand the increasingly widespread and intensifying impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems across the Mackenzie River Basin.
  
  Additionally, foundational efforts continued around understanding shared priorities and issues within the basin based on a state of freshwater science and Indigenous Knowledge literature review and ongoing discussions with partners. 
  
  Lake Simcoe Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
  
  Toxic and nuisance algae have been identified as challenges affecting the aquatic ecosystem health of Lake Simcoe. The Agency is seeking to reduce toxic and nuisance algae in the lake by supporting projects that focus on managing and reducing nutrient pollution. For example, the Agency funded a project by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority that is developing an assessment framework that prioritizes agricultural best management practices throughout the Lake Simcoe basin. The Agency also funded a project by McGill University that is demonstrating and evaluating the use of best management practices to reduce phosphorous runoff from non-point sources in the Lake Simcoe watershed.
  
  
• Via EcoAction, support community-led actions across Canada that protect and sustain fresh water, including through innovative solutions.
  
  There are two streams of EcoAction. Stream 1 is a national program that focuses on community-led freshwater restoration and protection. Building on the success of this stream, the Agency launched a second EcoAction funding stream in March 2025, focused on piloting innovative or clean technology solutions to improve freshwater quality or ecosystem health. While both streams achieve economic and environmental benefits, the new stream also addresses data challenges to better inform decision-making and actions related to freshwater management.
  
  In 2025-2026, the Agency invested more than $3.8 million over four years in 34 new projects funded under both streams of EcoAction. These partner-led projects will improve water quality and protect freshwater and ecosystem health by implementing local actions and innovative solutions across Canada. For example, the Agency funded the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to engage youth and communities in the Peel Region to reduce road salt pollution by planting and maintaining native salt tolerant vegetation at three community sites combined with hands on education and monitoring. The Agency also funded a scalable pilot project by AquaAction to implement Biocene’s Algo technology to combat harmful algae blooms and nutrient pollution, improving ecosystem health while exploring circular economy solutions for algae biomass reuse.

Through Policy Leadership:

• Develop anticipatory policy approaches that proactively build freshwater resilience and lead periodic reviews of federal freshwater policy frameworks and strategies with other federal departments and agencies to ensure Canada’s approach to freshwater management is strategic and fit-for-purpose in the context of current and future freshwater challenges and opportunities.
  
  In 2025-2026, the Canada Water Agency advanced anticipatory policy approaches to better understand and prepare for emerging freshwater challenges and opportunities affecting water security in Canada. Through policy research, foresight analysis, behavioural science, and engagement with experts and partners, the Agency assessed potential long-term impacts of climate change, demographic growth, economic development, and evolving demands on freshwater resources.
  
  In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced the launch of Agency-led efforts to develop Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy to prepare for a more uncertain and likely challenging water future. To support strategy development efforts, the Agency conducted multidisciplinary policy research and horizon scanning, examining current and future water security challenges and opportunities for action. In collaboration with the Privy Council Office, the Agency also conducted a public opinion research survey on Canadian attitudes and behaviours related to water use and water security. The survey achieved 2,280 responses and found that Canadians highly value fresh water and there is strong support for a national water strategy. The survey found that priority for water security was placed on access to safe drinking water, protection from contamination, sustainable use, and ensuring water for future generations.
  
  In 2025-2026, to support a whole-of-government approach to developing a National Water Security Strategy, the Agency engaged federal partners through the Federal Freshwater Committee (FFC). The FFC brings together federal departments and agencies with water-related responsibilities to discuss federal water priorities and align federal actions, policies, and spending across departments and agencies.
  
  Given the shared nature of water governance, the Agency also prepared to engage provincial, territorial, and Indigenous partners (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) on water security priorities, risks, challenges, and collaboration opportunities.
  
  The Agency continued to advance work related to the review of the Canada Water Act, which is an initiative in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act Action Plan. The Agency undertook policy analysis and jurisdictional research to support this review and is continuing pre-engagement discussions with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous peoples, and other federal departments and agencies. These efforts supported the identification of opportunities to strengthen freshwater governance, improve collaboration, and support modern approaches to freshwater stewardship.

Through Cross-Country Collaboration:

• Collaborate with provincial and territorial governments, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, international organizations and other countries, and stakeholders to address freshwater challenges.

The Agency collaborates with external partners and stakeholders to understand and solve complex freshwater issues. For example, in several FEIs, the Agency’s cooperation with provinces and territories is formalized through agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with other governments (e.g. the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health, and the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin).

In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to support federal participation in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). The CCME is the primary intergovernmental forum for collective action on environmental issues of national and international interest. The Agency was a co-chair of the CCME’s Water Management Committee, which focuses on managing and improving water quality and quantity.

• The Agency also collaborates with partners through domestic water boards that involve multiple provinces and territories and other federal departments, such as the Prairie Provinces Water Board and the Mackenzie River Basin Board.
  • Regarding the Prairie Provinces Water Board, administration of the Master Agreement on Apportionment in 2025-2026 included analysis and reporting on hydrometric and water quality monitoring data. Results determined there were no acute water quality concerns and all transboundary rivers met apportionment obligations.
  • Regarding the Mackenzie River Basin Board, administration of the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement for 2025-2026 included approval of a Strategic Plan to guide the Board’s activities over the next five to ten years and dialogue on climate change impacts through a basin-wide workshop.

In addition, the Agency collaborates with partners on international water boards under the auspices of the International Joint Commission (e.g., the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, the International Red River Watershed Board, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Board) in collaboration with the United States. The Agency’s support to these water boards in 2025-2026 included fulfilling Secretariat functions and providing expert professional advice. This involved ongoing support for binational coordination, work planning, monitoring, annual report production, and engagement activities related to water quality and aquatic ecosystem health.

The Agency plays an integral role in implementing the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The Agency worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to organize a Great Lakes Executive Committee meeting which took place June 10-11, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Key topics of discussion included a review of the operation and effectiveness of the implementation of the Agreement, the draft 2026-2028 Binational Priorities for Science and Action, the process for publishing Lake-wide Action and Management Plans, and the process for reviewing chemicals that had been nominated as candidate Chemicals of Mutual Concern.

• Additionally, the Agency collaborated with the U.S. EPA to organize the triennial Great Lakes Public Forum, which took place in Chicago from February 4-5, 2026. The Public Forum provided an opportunity to highlight recent binational Great Lakes accomplishments, including the publication of two triennial reports:
  • The 2025 Progress Report of the Parties, which showcases the binational and domestic accomplishments of Canada and the United States in implementing the Agreement from 2023 to 2025.
  • The 2025 State of the Great Lakes Report, which provides an overview of the status and trends of the Great Lakes ecosystem based on a suite of nine indicators of ecosystem health.

In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to collaborate with Ontario to implement commitments under the 2021 Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health. Highlights included significant efforts to reduce nutrient pollution to the Great Lakes, measurable progress in restoring AOCs including multiple Beneficial Use Impairment redesignations, updated Lake-wide Action and Management Plans for Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, expanded nearshore and coastal resilience work, improved understanding of climate change impacts on the Great Lakes, and strengthened partnerships with First Nations and Métis to support participation in decision-making across key Great Lakes processes. This work was achieved in collaboration with the other federal departments, including but not limited to the federal signatories to the 2021 Agreement (Environment and Climate Change Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Health Canada; Parks Canada Agency; Natural Resources Canada; and Transport Canada). In addition, the Agency worked with Ontario ministries (e.g., Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; Ministry of Natural Resources; and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness), conservation authorities, municipalities, research institutions, non-government organizations, local community organizations, and First Nations and Métis organizations and communities, among other partners.

The Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (2011–2026), also known as the St. Lawrence Action Plan (SLAP), was implemented within the St. Lawrence River FEI over the last 15 years through five-year planning cycles. In the last phase of SLAP (2021-2026), the joint efforts by both the Canadian and Quebec Governments have led to several notable achievements, such as the reduction of pollution entering the river, improved water quality, and the conservation of aquatic biodiversity. Additionally, substantial work has been done to protect and restore critical habitats for both animal and plant species.

In addition to the SLAP, the St. Lawrence River FEI fostered strong community engagement by supporting local and Indigenous stewardship initiatives. Through this initiative, dedicated funding was provided to First Nations groups that helped strengthen community capacity in aquatic ecosystem conservation, water monitoring, and habitat restoration, while promoting the integration of Indigenous knowledge and scientific expertise.

In the Wolastoq/Saint John River FEI, the Agency continued to strengthen its collaboration with partners across the watershed to advance shared freshwater priorities. Through engagement with the Province of New Brunswick and other federal departments, the Agency continued to advance the development of the first State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report in the watershed. The Agency strengthened collaboration with Wolastoqey Nations through participation on the newly developed, Indigenous-led Wəlastəkw Watershed Stewardship Committee and stakeholder engagement continued through the annual Wolastoq River Summit.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners are essential to the Agency’s work. Indigenous participation in freshwater stewardship is a priority in the eight FEIs. This includes providing financial support for Indigenous-led actions, such as community-based monitoring and the use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. In 2025-2026, the Agency resumed work begun in 2024 for pre-engagement with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to identify preferences and develop plans for meaningful engagement as part of the Canada Water Act review.

In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to represent Canada and support Canada’s engagement in international forums on freshwater issues. The Agency’s multilateral engagement ensures Canada has a clear view of the international water agenda, a voice in United Nations and other multilateral processes, and aligns outcomes with Canadian values and priorities, such as advocating for the inclusion of marginalized voices in decision-making on freshwater issues. This included supporting Environment and Climate Change Canada on engagement on freshwater issues in 2025-2026 through the United Nations, G7, and G20; representing Canada at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Working Party on Biodiversity, Water and Ecosystems; and leading work on Canada’s preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference which will shape the post-2030 Sustainable Development Goal Agenda.

Through Freshwater Literacy:

• Advance and establish a framework for state of freshwater reporting for major waterbodies across Canada.
  
  Reporting on ecosystem health facilitates a comprehensive assessment of freshwater challenges and results, including the impacts of climate change; builds awareness; aids in identifying and prioritizing stressors; and informs decision-making and actions to restore and protect water quality and ecosystem health. As part of the strengthened FWAP, reporting on the state of waterbodies of national significance is being advanced collaboratively with partners and includes ecosystem health indicators.
  
  As part of the State of the St. Lawrence Monitoring Program, the following factsheets related to the SLAP were published online in 2025-2026:
  • Seabirds – Sentinel Species of the Gulf, 5^th Edition
  • Deoxygenation and Acidification in the St. Lawrence Estuary
  • Oceanographic Processes: Temperatures and Sea Ice
  • Phytoplankton, Toxic Algae and Zooplankton in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence

Through the Mackenzie River Basin Board, efforts were advanced to update the 2021 online State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report for the Mackenzie River Basin, building on science and Indigenous Knowledge with an increased focus on climate change. The Board also co-hosted a “Stories of Change: Mackenzie River Basin Climate Change Workshop” with the Cold Regions Research Centre in March 2026 that brought together participants to share knowledge, identify common concerns, and strengthen partnerships across the Basin.

Through the Canada Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin, collaborative efforts advanced the development of a new approach to aquatic ecosystem health reporting that includes both the lake and basin. The approach is designed to meet the needs of multiple decision-makers and is informed by diverse perspectives and knowledge systems.

Pursuant to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Governments of Canada and the U.S., released the State of the Great Lakes 2025 report. The Report uses a suite of nine indicators of ecosystem health to assess the state of the Great Lakes, including indicators such as drinking water, fish consumption, and beach closures. Over 200 government and non-government Great Lakes scientists and other experts worked to assemble available data and help prepare the report. Overall, the state of the Great Lakes has been assessed as “fair” with a trend of “unchanging”.

Results achieved

Through Policy Leadership:

• Lead meaningful engagement across Government of Canada departments and agencies with freshwater-related responsibilities to develop integrated and effective policy approaches to freshwater challenges and opportunities.
  
  In 2025-2026 the Agency strengthened whole-of-government coordination on freshwater issues by bringing together federal departments and agencies to advance shared priorities, improve policy coherence, and support integrated approaches to freshwater management.
  
  Through the FFC, the Agency facilitated collaboration across organizations responsible for freshwater policy, science, monitoring, data, and program delivery to ensure integrated and aligned approaches to freshwater issues and policies. The Agency also led the Federal Freshwater Hub, an experimental approach that embeds freshwater expertise from priority departments and agencies the Agency. This approach is intended to break down silos and create whole-of-government solutions to freshwater challenges. The Hub is an innovative testing ground for working horizontally and collaboratively. Federal departments involved in the Hub to date include Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Statistics Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada.
  
  The FFC and the Federal Freshwater Hub support coordinated action on key whole-of-government initiatives including development of a National Water Security Strategy, the Canada Water Act review, the National Freshwater Data Strategy, and the Water One Window (more information below).
  
  In 2025-2026, as part of continuously improving its engagement approaches, the Agency developed and piloted survey tools to gather feedback from federal partners across key initiatives. Survey responses were analyzed to support the development of consistent methodology for measuring meaningful federal partner engagement, and the feedback gathered through surveys will be used to refine our engagement approaches.

Through Cross-Country Collaboration:

• Finalize and implement a Stakeholder Relations Strategy.
  
  In 2025-2026, the Agency continued its work on developing a Stakeholder Relations Strategy while working with a wide variety of stakeholders, including non-government organizations, academic institutions, industry associations, businesses, and the public to develop integrated approaches to freshwater issues. The Agency supports this engagement through initiatives such as freshwater roundtables, which bring together partners and stakeholders for meaningful dialogue on different freshwater topics. In 2025-2026, the Agency held five freshwater roundtables across the country, bringing together partners to explore key issues such as innovation, water resilience, water security, and the role of water in supporting Canada's economy. Each roundtable was co-hosted with a regional partner and brought together 12-15 stakeholders across academia, industry, and community to gather actionable advice on challenges and opportunities related to these topics.

Through Foundational Science and Data:

• Advance the development of a National Freshwater Data Strategy (NFDS) to improve accessibility and usability of freshwater data to support decision-making.

Freshwater data are required to make informed decisions and are foundational to the Agency’s work and the work of those who steward and manage water across Canada. Canada has an abundance of freshwater data, but the ability to access and use it is limited due to a lack of standard approaches for managing and integrating the data. In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to lead the development of a National Freshwater Data Strategy, a foundational initiative aimed at improving how freshwater information is managed, shared, and accessed across Canada.

In 2025-2026, the Agency published the NFDS Workshop 2024 Report to summarize feedback sessions. The Agency continued development of the NFDS through additional engagement with experts and community leaders, analysis of feedback from over 1,000 engagement participants, and establishment of a working group under the Federal Freshwater Committee to advise on strategy development.

• Advance collaboration with Indigenous partners and the use of their Knowledge Systems in the Agency’s work.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people play a crucial role as water stewards and holders of vital knowledge on water in Canada. As a result, collaboration with Indigenous people is essential for freshwater policy and management. In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to strengthen relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners and advance the respectful inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems throughout its work.

Freshwater challenges have specific impacts on Indigenous peoples, as traditional practices and hunting, fishing, and gathering rights may be impacted by changes to water quality that affect fish, wildlife, and plants. Indigenous Knowledge Systems are important in informing the Agency’s work, including efforts being advanced through FEIs and freshwater policy initiatives. Building on the work to date, the Agency aims to increase the Indigenous cultural competency of its employees and enable the Agency to cooperate with Indigenous partners in the respectful use of their Knowledge Systems throughout all the Agency’s work.

• In 2025-2026, the Agency engaged First Nations and Métis on freshwater issues including through incorporating Indigenous knowledge into decision-making processes related to the restoration of AOCs, lake-wide management, and addressing nutrient pollution. As examples of key accomplishments, the Agency:
  • engaged with Red Rock Indian Band and Biigtigong Nishnaabeg on the delisting of Nipigon Bay AOC, where all remedial actions have been completed;
  • had discussions with First Nations and Métis on the development of Lake-wide Action and Management Plans for the Canadian Great Lakes;
  • provided funding to Chippewas of the Thames First Nation for a project to reduce phosphorous loads to the Thames River watershed by implementing and encouraging best management practices in areas at highest risk of phosphorous loss in the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation territory and surrounding priority sub-watersheds;
  • supported the Grand Council Treaty #3 Territorial Planning Unit in implementing community-based water quality monitoring, coordinating engagement, liaising with communities and partners, and building support for phosphorous reduction targets in Lake of the Woods; and
  • provided funding to the Métis Nation of Ontario to support the participation of the Region 1 Consultation Committee in a Lake of the Woods regional science forum, enhancing capacity to participate in decision-making and support knowledge transfer.

Additionally, the Agency continued to implement a novel approach to Great Lakes funding for First Nations through Contribution Agreements with Chiefs of Ontario and Anishinabek Nation. These agreements contained provisions for the further disbursal of funding to Political Territorial Organizations and First Nations communities conducting on-the-ground Great Lakes governance, monitoring, and stewardship projects. These projects will provide opportunities for First Nations to apply Traditional Knowledge in their work to restore and protect the Great Lakes.

The Agency also supported First Nations gatherings that provided opportunities for First Nations participants to share Traditional Ecological Knowledge concerning the Great Lakes, such as Chiefs of Ontario’s inaugural Great Lakes Gathering, which took place October 21-22, 2025 in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

In Quebec, the Agency’s priority is to continue and strengthen collaborative actions with the province to reduce the impacts of environmental pressures and threats and to mobilize local communities, including Indigenous communities, to ensure the sustainable management and protection of the St. Lawrence River. In the context of ongoing negotiations regarding the renewal of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, the province of Quebec has demonstrated an interest in working with the Agency to define a collaborative framework for working with First Nations communities. As such, the two governments have been exploring how the new Agreement (2026-2036) can better integrate the participation of First Nations, local communities, and regional partners.

In the Wolastoq/Saint John River FEI, the Agency collaborated with Wolastoqey Nations on the newly-developed Indigenous-led Wəlastəkw Watershed Stewardship Committee and began internal discussions to incorporate Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous-specific indicators into the WSJR State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Report.

To encourage greater participation by Indigenous peoples, the Lake Winnipeg FEI piloted a new Cultivating Collaboration and Indigenous-driven Action stream for the 2026-2027 funding call. The stream was designed to reduce barriers and provide a more culturally appropriate application process. It generated strong interest, with approximately three times as many Letters of Interest submitted by Indigenous partners compared to previous funding calls.

Through Freshwater Literacy:

• Develop engaging and inclusive public education campaigns to cultivate water awareness in Canada.
  
  One of the Agency’s communications objectives is to use sustained and strategic communications to improve awareness of the economic, social, and environmental value of fresh water and how to protect, restore, and manage it. In 2025-2026, the Agency continued to promote freshwater awareness through public communications, digital engagement, outreach activities, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Through news releases, keynote addresses, social media content, and content featured on its website, the Agency highlighted projects and initiatives that it supports or leads to help build awareness and understanding of the progress on improving freshwater stewardship in Canada. Occasionally, some of these channels will also feature information on fresh water in Canada and on Canada’s waterbodies of national significance. The Agency also launched the Water One Window, a centralized web presence for Canadians to easily access federal freshwater data, programs, services, reports, and other information, including links to other federal departments and agencies. In 2025-2026, the Agency published 126 communications products, reports, fact sheets, or educational materials.
  
  The Agency’s support for the National Water Literacy Project helped expand access to freshwater education for youth across Canada by combining immersive learning, teacher training, storytelling, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Through this support, AquaAction and Canadian Geographic Education developed an immersive, bilingual Giant Floor Map that helps students and educators better understand Canada’s freshwater systems—including rivers, lakes, watersheds, and groundwater—through a Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) approach.

The Canada Water Agency is developing a Gender-Based Analysis (GBA) Plus responsibility centre within its Freshwater Policy and Engagement Directorate. This responsibility centre will provide strategic advice and coordination to support the consistent application of GBA Plus across the Agency. It will also work to identify and implement the elements of a GBA Plus Framework that will best support the sustainable and systematic use of GBA Plus in policies, programs, and decision-making across the Agency.   

The Agency monitors impacts on Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, as well as distinctions-based organizations, women, youth, and grassroots organizations, where data are available. Data are collected through various indicators within the Agency’s Performance Information Profiles and can be disaggregated based on partner type (Indigenous, provinces, territorial partners, and other federal departments and agencies), partner subgroups (e.g., youth groups, Indigenous grassroots organizations, Indigenous distinctions), or gender and diversity factors (e.g., sex, gender, race, other identifying factors). Through contribution agreements with Indigenous partners, the Agency also obtains feedback from Indigenous communities and organizations on their experiences with engagement (e.g. on Great Lakes and Lake of the Woods issues), which can inform future engagements. This approach will enable the Agency to identify differential impacts of its programming on various groups and allow the Agency to modify or tailor its engagement approach to maximize inclusiveness and achieve results.

Agency-led efforts on the development of a National Water Security Strategy contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation to prepare for a more uncertain and likely challenging water future through strengthening water security in Canada.

With the Agency’s focus on fresh water, many of its funded projects contribute to SDG-6. Some examples of funding provided by the Agency in 2025-2026 include over:

• $570,000 to support 11 multi-year projects under the Community Interaction Program of the St. Lawrence Action Plan that helped protect important ecological systems (e.g., wetlands, rivers, coastal environments) and restore aquatic and riparian habitats;
• $850,000 to support six new projects under the Wolastoq/Saint John River FEI that targeted nutrient reduction, improved understanding of pollutants and algae impacts, and Indigenous capacity-building;
• $1.6 million over three years to support 10 partner-led projects that will improve water quality and ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg; and
• $9.3 million for 26 new projects under the Great Lakes FEI to help restore Great Lakes AOCs, prevent toxic and nuisance algae, restore and protect critically important coastal areas including wetlands, and strengthen Indigenous inclusion and participation in Great Lakes governance, stewardship, and science.

In 2025-2026, the Agency leveraged AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, CanChat, and ChatGPT to assist with tasks involving unclassified information. For example, staff used the tools to create memos, emails, presentation slides, and graphics; summarize key water-related issues and articles in briefings; and help synthesize grants and contributions applications into concise project summaries. Translation tools such as DeepL were used to translate text for reports and various other documents. Some staff also attended training sessions to safely and effectively upskill in the use of AI. These combined efforts contributed to increased productivity and improved service delivery.

• Description
• Progress on results
• Resources required to achieve results
• Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

• Spending
• Funding
• Financial statement highlights
• Human resources

2024-2025 spending reflects a partial fiscal year, with spending for the Agency from inception on October 15, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The 2025-2026 fiscal year represents the Agency’s first full fiscal year.

The increase in Freshwater Stewardship funding from 2026-2027 to 2027-2028 is mainly due to available funding for restoration work in the Great Lakes as part of the commitment under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. This project includes the implementation of contaminated sediment management projects to support restoration of water quality and ecosystem health in all 14 Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern within the next 15 years.

The decrease in funding from 2027-2028 to 2028-2029 is mainly due to a decrease in contributions to support freshwater stewardship. Budget 2023 announced a major investment to support Canada’s fresh water, including $650 million over ten years, starting in 2023-2024, to support monitoring, assessment, and restoration work through the implementation of FEIs in the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, St. Lawrence River, Fraser River, Wolastoq/Saint John River, Mackenzie River, and Lake Simcoe. Funding for this work has a fluctuating contribution from year to year to align with the planned activities.

The approved funding in 2025-2026 shows a significant increase from 2024-2025 levels. This is due to the 2024-2025 funding reflecting a partial fiscal year from the Agency’s inception on October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

The decrease in funding from 2025-2026 to 2026-2027 is mainly due to the sunset of funding for certain engagement activities.

The increase from 2026-2027 to 2027-2028 is mainly due to funding for restoration work in the Great Lakes as part of the commitment under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, including implementing contaminated sediment management projects to support restoration of water quality and ecosystem health in all 14 Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern within 15 years.

The above figures include a decrease in funding from 2026-2027 to 2028-2029 as part of the Government of Canada’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review and a sunsetting of contributions to support freshwater stewardship. The Agency will achieve savings as part of the Comprehensive Expenditure Review through modernizing government operations by increasing the efficiency of internal administrative and support functions such as accounting, information technology, and human resources; leveraging new technology; and managing workforce attrition strategically.

Total expenses were $84.8 million for 2025-2026. The decrease of $19.0 million compared to the planned results is mainly attributable to a decrease in spending on remediation projects. Total revenues were $0.8 million for 2025-2026. The decrease of $12.0 million compared to the planned results is attributable to a decrease in funds collected from other government departments and provincial governments to be spent on remediation projects.

2024-2025 is a partial fiscal year, representing transactions for the Agency from inception on October 15, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The 2025-2026 fiscal year represents the Agency’s first full fiscal year.

2024-2025 was a partial fiscal year, representing transactions for the Agency from inception on October 15, 2024, to March 31, 2025. The 2025-2026 fiscal year represents the Agency’s first full fiscal year.

FTEs in 2024-2025 reflect a partial year for the Agency from its inception on October 15, 2024 to March 31, 2025. The increased FTEs in 2025-2026 reflect the first full fiscal year of operations for the Agency.

The decrease in FTEs from 2026-2027 to 2028-2029 is due to a planned reduction as part of the Government of Canada’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review. The Agency will achieve savings through modernizing government operations by increasing the efficiency of internal administrative and support functions such as accounting, information technology, and human resources; leveraging new technology; and managing workforce attrition strategically. The reduction in FTEs will take place over time, with the Agency’s originally planned FTEs in 2026-2027 decreasing by 4 (from 221 to 217); further decreasing by 4 FTEs in 2027-2028 (from 217 to 213); and further decreasing by 5 FTEs in 2028-2029 (from 213 to 208).  

Appropriate minister: The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, P.C., M.P.

Institutional head: Mark Fisher

Ministerial portfolio: Environment, Climate Change and Nature

Enabling instruments:

• The Canada Water Agency Act
• Canada Water Act

Year of incorporation or commencement: 2024

Mailing address: 

Canada Water Agency 
510-234 Donald Street 
Winnipeg, Manitoba 
R3C 1M8 
Canada

Email:  water-eau@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Website: Canada Water Agency

appropriation (crédit)
Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, departments or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
An enduring function or role of a department. The departmental results listed for a core responsibility reflect the outcomes that the department seeks to influence or achieve.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
A report that outlines the anticipated activities and expected performance of an appropriated department over a three-year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament in spring.

departmental priority (priorité)
A plan, project or activity that a department focuses and reports on during a specific planning period. Priorities represent the most important things to be done or those to be addressed first to help achieve the desired departmental results.

departmental result (résultat ministériel)
A high-level outcome related to the core responsibilities of a department.

departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
A quantitative or qualitative measure that assesses progress toward a departmental result.

departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
A framework that connects the department’s core responsibilities to its departmental results and departmental result indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
A report outlining a department’s accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

full-time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
Measures the person years in a departmental budget. An employee’s scheduled hours per week divided by the employer’s hours for a full-time workweek calculates a full-time equivalent. For example, an employee who works 20 hours in a 40-hour standard workweek represents a 0.5 full-time equivalent.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
An analytical tool that helps to understand the ways diverse individuals experience policies, programs and other initiatives. Applying GBA Plus to policies, programs and other initiatives helps to identify the different needs of the people affected, the ways to be more responsive and inclusive, and the methods to anticipate and mitigate potential barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

government priorities (priorités gouvernementales)
For the purpose of the 2025–2026 Departmental Results Report, government priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda as announced in the 2025 Speech from the Throne.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
A program, project or other initiative where two or more federal departments receive funding to work collaboratively on a shared outcome usually linked to a government priority, and where the ministers involved agree to designate it as horizontal. Specific reporting requirements apply, including that the lead department must report on combined expenditures and results.

Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)
Requirements for verifying Indigenous businesses for the purposes of the departmental result report are available through the Indigenous Services Canada Mandatory minimum 5% Indigenous procurement target website.  

nonbudgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)
What a department did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the department intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)
A qualitative or quantitative measure that assesses progress toward a departmental-level or program-level result, or the expected outputs or outcomes of a program, policy or initiative.

plan (plan)
The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how a department intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)
For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to the amounts presented in Main Estimates. Departments must determine their planned spending and be able to defend the financial numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

program (programme)
An individual, group, or combination of services and activities managed together within a department and focused on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
A listing that identifies all the department’s programs and the resources that contribute to delivering on the department’s core responsibilities and achieving its results.

result (résultat)
An outcome or output related to the activities of a department, policy, program or initiative.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
Spending approved through legislation passed in Parliament, other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose and the terms and conditions of the expenditures.

target (cible)
A quantitative or qualitative, measurable goal that a department, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
Spending approved annually through an appropriation act passed in Parliament. The vote also outlines the conditions that govern the spending.