Question Period Note: Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund

What is the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Fund?

• Budget 2022 announced $2 billion for the renewal of the Oceans Protection Plan, including $75 million over five years for the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund.
• The fund projects address impacts on Canadian coastal and upstream aquatic environments.
• The program focusses on priority activities and areas with the greatest benefit to aquatic ecosystems, and prioritizes Indigenous partnerships.
• The fund received 130 applications seeking $263 million in support. The proposals are currently being reviewed by the Department.

• In 2021, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans (DFO) and the Canadian Coast Guard was mandated to renew and expand the Coastal Restoration Fund (CRF), a $75 million five-year program launched in 2017 as part of the Oceans Protection Plan (OPP) to preserve and restore marine ecosystems. The CRF provided funding for over 60 projects on all coasts and sunsetted in March 2022.
• The renewal of the program was made possible through Budget 2022, where the Government announced $2 billion in funding over nine years for the renewal of the OPP (2.0); this includes $75 million over five years for the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF).
• Through contribution funding, AERF projects will address impacts on Canadian coastal aquatic environments (e.g. climate change, new contaminants, algae bloom, agricultural runoff).
• This new program supports DFO’s commitment to continue to protect and restore our oceans and coasts by:
• contributing to strategic planning and addressing restoration priorities;
• supporting restoration and rehabilitation of aquatic habitats and their long-term sustainability;
• educating the public on the impacts of human behaviour on aquatic habitats;
• supporting co-benefits of aquatic restoration activities (such as nature based solutions to climate change);
• encouraging and building local community capacity; and,
• supporting Indigenous groups through strategic partnerships.
• The program supports projects on all of Canada’s coasts, with an expanded geographic scope to include upstream inland aquatic restoration.
• To meet its objectives, the program engaged Indigenous organizations, non-profit and community-based organizations, as well academic researchers and institutions to support coordinated approaches for projects.
• Given the success of the CRF program, the AERF has been built on the existing framework and has expanded its approach to help address impacts to coastal and marine environments on Canada’s coasts.
• The program will focus on priority areas that have the greatest strategic value, prioritizing activities with the greatest benefit to specific coastal ecosystems threats, and activities that address the root causes of impacts on coastal areas.
• The AERF is continuing to engage with Indigenous groups in the protection of Canada's coastal areas.
• As part of its call for proposal, the program received 130 applications for a total of $263 million. Funding decisions are expected by end of March 2023.

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