MP Duguid highlights launch of public engagement on Canada’s National Water Security Strategy and announces new projects to protect Lake Winnipeg

News release

September 9, 2026 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

From the iconic Niagara Falls to the great northern Mackenzie River, Canada is home to some of the world’s most important freshwater systems. Water is essential to our environment, communities, and economy, and holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous peoples. It is fundamental to our individual and collective prosperity, making water security a national priority.

Today, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South, on behalf of Julie Dabrusin, the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature, and Minister responsible for the Canada Water Agency (CWA), announced the launch of public engagement to develop the country’s first National Water Security Strategy.

The Government of Canada is inviting Canadians to share their views to inform the development of a National Water Security Strategy via an online platform accessible through the Canada Water Agency website.

A National Water Security Strategy will help ensure Canada’s long-term sustainability by addressing freshwater-related challenges and seizing opportunities to protect freshwater ecosystems, ensure communities are resilient, and industries are water secure, sustainable, and thriving. 

As we work to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable and extreme climate, a national approach to water security is more important than ever. To understand diverse needs, knowledge systems and priorities related to water security, the CWA is engaging provincial and territorial partners; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners; and stakeholders across a broad range of sectors to ensure the Strategy reflects the values and lived experiences of people from coast to coast to coast.

The online platform at the link below includes survey questions to guide feedback. The survey will be open from Sep 9, 2026, to Oct 25, 2026, and a summary of the findings will be shared later this year.

MP Duguid also announced the extension of the Canada–Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

This MOU facilitates a cooperative approach to protecting and improving the water quality and ecological health of Lake Winnipeg and its basin for present and future generations. It demonstrates Canada and Manitoba’s shared commitment to the lake through investments, long-term collaboration on science and restoration efforts, and meaningful engagement of Indigenous peoples.

As part of today's announcement, MP Duguid also announced $2.8 million over three years, for 16 partner-led projects through the federal Lake Winnipeg Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative. These projects focus on reducing nutrient loading and enhancing Indigenous participation in freshwater stewardship to improve the water quality and ecosystem health of Lake Winnipeg.

Among the recipients:

Southern Chiefs’ Organization Inc. (SCO) will receive over $130,000 to support community-based monitoring for participating SCO First Nations, providing foundational baseline data to support freshwater decision-making and stewardship.  
Manitoba Association of Watersheds will receive $490,000 to reduce nutrient pollution to Manitoba waterways in three watershed districts (Pembina Valley, Redboine, and Seine Rat Roseau) through water retention, wetland restoration, livestock relocation and other measures in partnership with local landowners.

Investments like these demonstrate how governments, Indigenous partners, communities, researchers and other partners can work together to address shared water challenges—an approach that will also help inform the development of Canada’s first National Water Security Strategy.

Through the Canada Water Agency, the Government of Canada is strengthening coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to address freshwater challenges and opportunities in Lake Winnipeg and across the country. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to building a cleaner, more secure, and prosperous future for Canadians.

Quotes

“Lake Winnipeg is at the heart of our region's identity, environment, and economy. By taking local action, we are making a difference. Collectively, the projects that we are funding bring together governments, Indigenous partners, researchers, and communities to take meaningful action for cleaner water and healthier ecosystems. These investments will help protect Lake Winnipeg for future generations while strengthening local leadership and water stewardship.” 
 – The Honourable Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South 

“Here in Winnipeg, the water in our rivers flows north into Lake Winnipeg, so caring for the lake begins close to home. I am proud that this investment backs the First Nations and Métis communities leading water stewardship across the basin and brings governments and partners together to give this lake the protection it has long needed. “
– Ginette Lavack, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services

"Lake Winnipeg is one of Manitoba's most important natural resources, and protecting it takes all of us working together. This agreement strengthens the partnership between Manitoba and Canada and will help us continue the important work of protecting the lake and the communities that depend on it. We are proud to be working with our federal partners to keep Lake Winnipeg healthy for generations to come."
–The Honourable Mike Moyes, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manitoba  

"Lake Winnipeg has always been central to the Red River Métis way of life. For generations, our Citizens have lived, harvested, travelled, and built their livelihoods along these waters, creating a relationship and responsibility that continues today. As the National Government of the Red River Métis, the Manitoba Métis Federation is committed to ensuring our Citizens, our knowledge, and our priorities shape the future of freshwater management across our National Homeland. These investments are an important step toward healthier waters and stronger water security, and we will continue to work with Canada and Manitoba as government partners to protect Lake Winnipeg and the waters our families will depend on for generations to come."
– Minister David Beaudin, Environment and Climate Change, MMF - National Government of the Red River Métis

Quick facts

The launch of efforts to develop a National Water Security Strategy was announced in March 2026. It builds on the Government of Canada’s existing $650 million commitment over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to manage, restore, and protect fresh water in Canada.
The Canada Water Agency (CWA) is leading the work to develop a national approach to water security, in collaboration with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners across the country.
- The CWA is the federal focal point for fresh water. Its mandate is to improve freshwater management in Canada by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and partnership with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples.
Canada faces a range of water-related challenges such as droughts, floods, pollution, wildfires, aging critical water infrastructure, stresses on groundwater, permafrost degradation, and algal blooms. Engagement on a National Water Security Strategy will focus on listening; identifying water security priorities; understanding challenges and opportunities; and exploring pathways for shared action.
Lake Winnipeg is 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. It supports local economies and communities, accounting for over 25% of Canada’s freshwater fishery revenue and over $600 million worth of hydroelectric generation annually.
The basin is home to more than six million Canadians and includes over 40 communities, including many First Nations and Métis communities.
The first Canada–Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin was signed in 2010 and renewed in 2015. The renewal of the current MOU, signed in 2021, builds on more than 15 years of formal collaboration between the two governments.
Through previous Memoranda of Understanding, Canada and Manitoba have advanced collaborative science and monitoring, including:
- publishing two editions of the State of Lake Winnipeg report,
- developing Lake Winnipeg Basin Indicators,
- publishing the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program Science Highlights (2017–2022).
The Lake Winnipeg Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative is part of the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan (a $650 million investment over 10 years starting in 2023) with the goal of managing, restoring and protecting fresh water. Delivered by the Canada Water Agency, these initiatives:
- advance science to inform decisions,
- enhance governance to support improved collaboration with partners and stakeholders; and
- support partner-led actions to protect and restore freshwater ecosystem health
Since 2017, the Government of Canada has invested $16.8 million, not including today’s announcement, in contribution funding to support partner-led projects focused on reducing nutrients; advancing collaborative efforts; and enhancing Indigenous engagement to improve the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg.

Associated links

Contacts

Keean Nembhard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature
343-552-2387
Keean.Nembhard@ec.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canada Water Agency
media@cwa-aec.gc.ca

Canada Water Agency’s X page  
Canada Water Agency’s LinkedIn page
Environment and Natural Resources in Canada Facebook Page

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2026-09-09