Montreal, Quebec – July 22, 2025 – Today, the honourable Julie Dabrusin, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, announced a $635,296 investment into an eco-literacy initiative to be led by AquaAction from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund. Also today, the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation has announced that they will match the federal investment with a contribution of the same amount, doubling the overall commitment to $1.27 million over five years.
AquaAction President, Soula Chronopoulos, released the following statement:
“On behalf of the entire AquaAction team, we heartily applaud the Government of Canada’s bold commitment to improving water literacy in Canada. The truth is stark: only half of Canada knows where their tap water comes from and only one in five Canadians consider themselves well informed about freshwater in Canada.
We must overcome the illusion of abundance in Canada and engage young Canadians around improving how we manage our freshwater resources.
This landmark funding, paired with generous support from the de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation, lays the groundwork for a transformative, nationwide water literacy campaign. We will partner with leading educational institutions to co-create dynamic, age-tailored learning modules for students from kindergarten through Grade 12. Courses will encourage entrepreneurial thinking and developing job-ready skills to help young Canadians participate in a sustainable blue economy.
Water knowledge is powerful. It sparks curiosity, replaces fear with understanding, and inspires action. The ripple effects of expanding young minds will be felt far beyond the classroom, in everyday choices, future careers, and stronger communities for all Canadians.”
Link to Environment and Climate Change Canada backgrounder
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2025/07/the-government-of-canada-invests-over-144-million-in-17-projects-that-will-foster-youth-environmental-literacy-across-canada.html
Link to de Gaspé Beaubien Foundation news
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfCXYElRsLj0xWrWDTscNrXXZ-p7EhJD/view
About AquaAction
AquaAction is a charity building a water-secure future through innovation, education, and collaboration. We support aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs to launch and scale water technology solutions to tackle the increasing economic, environmental and water security challenges we face. AquaAction works across sectors connecting innovators, policymakers, communities, and industries to empower the next generation of water stewards. We are a growing community of changemakers who are building the freshwater economy, one solution at a time.
Contact
Oliver Anderson
Vice-President of Communications and Growth
oliver.anderson@aquaaction.org
