It seems that preserving wetlands comes second to preserving species at risk.
On February 1, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced that it will not be funding an new programs through its National Wetland Conservation Fund. The fund was created in 2014 to support on-the-ground activities to restore and enhance wetlands in Canada and was to run for five years.
Between September, 2014 and March 31, 2017, close to $25.5 million in federal funding was spent on 198 National Wetland Conservation Fund projects. During this same timeframe, over 2,600 hectares of wetlands and associated uplands have been restored and over 340,000 hectares of wetland and associated upland habitat have been enhanced.
The 55 ongoing previously-approved projects for 2018 to 2019 so that projects can be completed.
“In order to ensure that Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to deliver on its priorities in the most efficient way possible, the department recently undertook a review of its grants and contributions programs,” according to the Environment and Climate Change Canada website. “In 2018-2019, Environment and Climate Change Canada is reallocating some of its funds toward other key departmental priorities, including the recovery of species at risk.”
