Ontario Investing Nearly $1.2 Million to Restore Wetlands in Brampton and Protect Against Floods

BRAMPTON — The Ontario government is delivering on its plan to protect Ontario communities by investing nearly $1.2 million to help the City of Brampton enhance local wetlands and reduce flood risk to roads while improving the natural ecosystem in the Heart Lake Wetlands Complex and Spring Creek. This funding is part of the province’s $9.6 million investment through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program to conserve wetlands and protect communities against the threat of flooding, drought and other extreme weather events.

“Wetlands are vital natural infrastructure that protect our homes and businesses against drought and flooding, clean the water and create habitat for a variety of wildlife,” said Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. "We are proud to support this important project here in Brampton, which will preserve this vital natural space for this community, ensuring future generations can enjoy the many benefits that healthy wetlands provide.”

Led by the City of Brampton in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project will enhance 25 acres (10 hectares) of wetlands by restoring wetland shorelines and upgrading stormwater infrastructure, while also removing invasive species, such as Common Buckthorn, and planting native plants and trees in its place. This work will help reduce flooding while enhancing ecosystem function within the Heart Lake Wetlands Complex, which drains water southward into Spring Creek.

The government’s wetlands program is one of the largest investments in wetland enhancement and restoration in the province’s history. Since 2020, Ontario has invested nearly $41 million in 660 projects, restoring and enhancing over 12,200 acres (4,950 hectares) of wetlands in the Great Lakes watershed and connecting rivers.

This year's projects will build on that record, supporting Great Lakes coastal wetlands and prioritizing areas in southern Ontario that have experienced wetland loss.

• In the first 5 years of the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, projects have improved water quality, reduced flood risks and strengthened climate resilience — avoiding over $10 million in damages to built infrastructure, helping to protect the environment and keep Ontario communities safe, while creating 270 full-time green jobs in Ontario’s rural and near-urban communities.
• Brampton has been funded for 2 projects under the WCPP for a total of $3.69 million to enhance over 37 acres (15 hectares). These projects have focused on addressing stormwater runoff and supporting urban habitat for species such as turtles.
• For the 2025 intake, the program prioritized projects that support Great Lakes coastal wetlands and areas in southern Ontario that have experienced significant wetland loss. These projects also help communities better manage stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding, especially in urban areas.
• Projects receiving funding were required to include matching support, with at least $1 contributed from non-provincial sources — such as donors, foundations, or other levels of government — for every $2 provided by the province.