Ontario Investing in Stronger, Healthier and Cleaner Communities

Ontario Investing in Stronger, Healthier and Cleaner Communities

Province reinvesting funds from polluters to support 17 environmental projects

March 18, 2022

Environment, Conservation and Parks


Toronto — The Ontario government is building stronger, healthier and cleaner communities by reinvesting nearly $900,000 in penalties paid by harmful polluters through the Ontario Community Environment Fund to support community projects across the province that help protect and restore the environment.

The 17 projects, which are funded by environmental penalties collected in the same region where they are located, will result in:

  • 255,000 trees planted
  • 247 acres of land or wetland restored
  • 410 species protected
  • 0.43 kmof enhanced stormwater management lands

“Our government is working on many fronts to ensure polluters are held accountable and are encouraged to make greater efforts to prevent spills, pollution or other environmental violations from happening,” said David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “The Ontario Community Environment Fund builds on these actions by tapping into the creativity, dedication and experience of local organizations who know where and how best to tackle the impacts of pollution in their communities. I am proud to work with these partners and help make their great ideas a reality for the people living in their communities today and for future generations.”

Since 2010, the Ontario Community Environment Fund has committed over $1.48 million to 81 projects that have planted over 116,000 trees, restored over 27 kilometres of shoreline, collected 690 bags of garbage and resulted in the logging of over 5,400 volunteer hours.


Quick Facts

  • Under the Environmental Protection Act, the person or company who spills a pollutant into the environment is legally responsible for the cleanup of the spill.

Related Topics

Environment and Energy

Learn more about how Ontario protects and restores wildlife and the environment. Includes information on conservation and the electricity system. Learn more