Funding to help municipalities and provincial partners fight invaders
Last week the province got out on a beautiful morning in Lockport to announce that they are investing an additional $540,000 to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Part of this is a new fund that will allow our municipalities as well as other provincial partners deliver prevention resources across the province.
The announcement was MC’d by RM of St. Clements Mayor Debbie Fiebelkorn.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Mike Moyes said, “We’re here to talk about something that affects all of us who enjoy the outdoors, something that impacts not just our environment but the way that we live our lives in Manitoba, that is aquatic invasive species for AIS, these species don’t just change the ecosystems of our rivers and lakes. They change how we experience them. They mess with the waters that so many of us rely on for fishing, boating or simply enjoying nature, and that affects the way that we connect land and our waters. Standing here in Lockport, one of the most iconic spots for fishing in Manitoba, it’s easy to see how much our lakes and rivers are part of who we are. They’re part of our culture, they’re part of our economy, and they’re part of our way of life. Protecting these places matters to all of us, whether you’re fishing, boating, enjoying a day at the lake, or living near one of the 100,000 lakes that span. Manitoba.”
He went on to explain that AIS damage boats, clog water intakes and cost us millions of dollars every year.
“But here’s the good news, we can do something about it. Preventing the spread of AIS is something that we all have a part in. It’s not just up to the government. It’s something that we all share responsibility for. The next time you’re out on the water, remember, Clean, Drain and Dry your watercraft and your gear. It’s simple and it’s easy, and it helps to stop the spread of these invasive species,” he said.
This announcement was made during Invasive Species Awareness Week in Manitoba.
After reminding residents of their duty to keep our lakes and rivers clear of AIS and explaining that the province already has prevention programs in place, Moyes got down to the announcement.
“I’m very excited to share some excellent news. In budget 2025, the Manitoba government is investing an additional $540,000 for a total of $2.2 million to fight the spread of aquatic invasive species. This builds on the $500,000 that we added last year in budget 2024. A big part of this investment will go toward a new aquatic invasive species prevention fund. This fund is going to help municipalities, Indigenous communities, non-governmental organizations and local water user groups run their own AIS prevention program. It’s about supporting local solutions and building strong partnerships. We’re also putting $130,000 into specialized equipment that’s going to help us in our fight against AIS. We already have great partnerships in place, like the ones with the City of Selkirk for their watercraft inspection station, and we’re going to keep building on these partnerships,” he said.
Moyes was followed by Scott Phillips, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities as well as a Councillor for the RM of Sifton.
“We certainly welcome today’s announcement of increased funding to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species, including the creation of a new dedicated AIS Prevention Fund. Municipalities need strong tools and clear guidance, especially when we head into busy summer months, where we’ll even have more Manitobans and visitors enjoying our lakes and waterways. Municipalities can’t tackle this issue alone. While today’s investment is a positive step forward, ongoing support and long term funding will be critical in effective AIS management for years to come. Raising awareness, strengthening prevention on the ground, and empowering local governments with the right tools will be key to protecting Manitoba waters for future generations,” said Phillips.
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson spoke next saying, “Selkirk is the last community on the mighty Red River before the majestic Lake Winnipeg. Everything passes by the City of Selkirk on its way. So it’s so, so important that we fight these invasive species, and we make sure that we eradicate them from the lakes, from the rivers, from the boats, from the waterways.”
He continued speaking about the program the cleans watercraft at the Selkirk boat launch in the summer months.
“We’re going to work with the province, and we’re going to not plan for the next election year. We’re going to plan for the next generation, and we’re going to clean up these waterways, and we’re going to bring them back to the way they were in the past,” said Johannson.
