Government of Canada Announces $5.5 Million for 44 New Projects to Clean up Lake Simcoe

JACKSON'S POINT, ONTARIO, Aug 27 (MARKET WIRE) --
On behalf of the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment,
the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety and Member of
Parliament for York Simcoe, announced today the third and fourth groups
of projects under the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund.

"We're investing in Lake Simcoe because it is a critical resource that
provides safe drinking water for eight municipalities and, through
recreational activities, generates more than $200 million a year for the
local economy," said Minister Van Loan. "These projects represent an
investment that will help to ensure Lake Simcoe has a healthy future."

"Environment Canada has a strong, comprehensive, approach to ensure clean
water for all Canadians, and the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is an
important part of that plan," said Environment Minister Jim Prentice. "It
is a great example of how we collaborate with stakeholders to take
concrete and measurable actions that improve water quality."

Initiatives funded by the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund are designed to
preserve and protect the environment of Lake Simcoe. Forty-four projects
will receive a total of $5,504,231 as part of an overall investment of
$30 million over five years, which was announced in February 2008.

"Through our previous Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund funding, we've engaged
our partners to undertake 23 projects that have helped to reduce the
amount of phosphorus entering the lake by 15 kg annually. We're proud of
the fact that we've been able to restore 3.5 km of urban and rural stream
banks and planted over 6,500 trees and shrubs," said Gayle Wood, Chief
Administrative Officer of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

This investment to clean up Lake Simcoe is part of the Government of
Canada's Action Plan for Clean Water, which includes projects like the
Health of the Oceans initiative to protect Canada's three oceans, the
clean-up of contaminated sediment in Great Lakes Areas of Concern, and
action on pollution in Lake Winnipeg.

(Egalement offert en francais)

BACKGROUNDER

Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund

The Government of Canada believes that clean, safe and secure water is
something all Canadians have the right to enjoy. That is why we are
taking action to preserve and protect Lake Simcoe. The health of the lake
has been steadily declining for many years. Declining water quality is
the primary challenge, and residents around the lake are seeking
solutions. Through a $30 million, five-year clean-up fund, the Government
of Canada is helping the residents restore the health of the lake.

The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is used to support priority projects led by
community organizations, land owners, non-government environmental
groups, the provincial and municipal governments and Conservation
Authorities. The fund supports projects that contribute to:

- Reducing rural and urban pollution to cut the amount of phosphorus
going into the lake

- Rehabilitating fish and wildlife habitats

- Improving information-gathering and the monitoring of phosphorus levels
for assessing progress

The fund is administered by Environment Canada in consultation with
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the
Province of Ontario, the Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and other key
stakeholders. Twice a year, Environment Canada solicits public input for
clean-up projects.

Environment Canada is assisted by the Protect and Preserve the
Environment of Lake Simcoe Committee (PROPEL), and a Technical Review
Committee. The PROPEL Committee members were appointed by the Minister of
the Environment on October 12, 2007, to advise on priority actions and
funding recommendations.

Land owners and Aboriginal communities, nongovernmental and community
organizations, agricultural associations, the conservation authority,
businesses, industry, and provincial and municipal governments are all
eligible to receive funding through the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund. Those
interested in applying, should submit a Letter of Intent describing the
proposed project. Successful applicants will then be asked to submit a
detailed project proposal. Go to the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund Web site
at www.ec.gc.ca/lakesimcoe for selection criteria and application
deadlines.

The table of the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund - Rounds 3 and 4 New Projects
is available at the following address:
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/ENVA0827.pdf

Contacts:
Office of the Minister of the Environment
Frederic Baril
Press Secretary
819-997-1441

Environment Canada
Media Relations
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008
www.ec.gc.ca

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