On April 24, 2025 in the Legislature, I questioned the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action on the urgent need to bolster support for PEI’s watershed groups. These organizations are on the front lines of protecting our crucial Island ecosystems, but they need resources that match their growing responsibilities. I challenged the Minister on whether the $400,000 compensation from the recent Summerside golf course wetland destruction is being directed toward local watershed restoration, pressed for the Watershed Management Fund to be indexed to inflation, and advocated for the deep expertise of the PEI Watershed Alliance to be fully integrated into our provincial forestry policy. While the Minister highlighted current funding levels and committed to coordinating future meetings with the Alliance, I will continue advocating to ensure our watershed experts secure the concrete financial backing and policy influence they deserve.
Please find the transcript in this PDF of Hansard from April 24, 2025 (starting on page 18 of 60), and below.
The SPEAKER: The hon. Member from Rustico–Emerald.
Mr. TRIVERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Wetlands are a crucial part of healthy Island ecosystems. Our watershed groups are really experts, and do the critical work in many cases, sometimes to restore but definitely to maintain wetlands.
In the case of the Summerside golf course project that happened recently, a compensation payment of over $400,000 was made for the destruction of more than 27 acres of wetland. The PEI wetland policy emphasizes a “no net loss” approach, prioritizing avoidance.
Question to the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action: Can the minister confirm whether any portion of this compensation has been directed towards supporting the work of watershed groups or the PEI Watershed Alliance in restoring or protecting similar wetland habitats?
The SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action.
Hon. Mr. ARSENAULT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, hon. member, for bringing that to the floor of the Legislature.
As you stated, there is no doubt in my mind that the watershed groups are doing phenomenal work for this province. We had a great working relationship with the alliance and with the watershed groups.
I have to state, as well, that I have 13 nieces and nephews, and I think half of them worked, at one point, through the watershed groups on the summer projects. So, I’m very aware of the kind of work that they do and the phenomenal work that they do.
To your question directly, to the amount of – we’re standing at an all-time high of investment that we’re providing as a Province. Over $2.1 million is distributed through the watershed groups on an annual basis to do the work, in collaboration with our department.
Our department is working very closely with them, and we will continue to support the watershed groups.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SPEAKER: The hon. Member from Rustico–Emerald.
Mr. TRIVERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I, too, am very proud of the way our government has supported the watershed groups over the years. I’ve been an advocate. We’re at an all-time high because watersheds are so important to our Island; they’re foundational. I mean, without healthy watersheds, what happens to our farming, our fishing, our tourism, not to mention our health and our wellness? They’re very crucial.
Watershed groups across the Island are taking on more projects and responsibilities every year. Yet, there is a growing concern that core funding through the Watershed Management Fund has not kept pace with inflation or workload.
We’re at an all-time high, but a question for the minister: Can the minister tell this House whether the Watershed Management Fund has been indexed to inflation this year or increased to take into account inflation, and if not, will the minister commit to doing that?
The SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action.
Hon. Mr. ARSENAULT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
As I have stated, it is at an all-time high. We have a great working relationship. We will continue to listen to the groups and to the Watershed Alliance to make sure that they have what they need to do the work.
It’s very important work that they’re doing on behalf of all Islanders, and also in conjunction with my staff at the Department of Environment.
We will continue to work hand in hand with them, and to make sure that they have the appropriate funds to do the work that they’re conducting.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SPEAKER: The hon. Member from Rustico–Emerald.
Mr. TRIVERS: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the minister for his dedication to helping watershed groups.
The PEI Watershed Alliance has asked government to fully implement all recommendations of the Forestry Commission’s final report. We heard about that yesterday in questions. The partial implementation, they say, really won’t achieve the goals identified by either the commission or the watershed groups who have contributed extensively to this work.
Question for the minister: Can the minister explain how the voices and the deep expertise of watershed groups really on the front lines will be meaningfully integrated into the next steps of forestry policy development?
The SPEAKER: The hon. Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action.
Hon. Mr. ARSENAULT: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
I’d like to start by thanking the staff in my department and the work that they have done with the Forestry Commission and the department, or the sector of fisheries – Fish and Wildlife, especially – that have been working very hard on this report. They’ve started implementing those recommendations.
I will assure the hon. member that I will coordinate a meeting with my staff and the Watershed Alliance to make sure that they’re onside with what’s happening with the commission report and that they’re aware of what’s happening, and that we can move forward with that report.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
