Press Releases

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-04), who serves as the Republican Co-Chair of the Great Lakes Task Force and the US-Canada Inter-parliamentary Group, released the following statement after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will spend approximately $300 million over the next decade to protect the Great Lakes.

“This increased funding commitment to help preserve and strengthen the Great Lakes is a welcomed announcement from our neighbors in Canada,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “I was proud to lead this bipartisan request for increased funding with Congressman Higgins and I am glad our Canadian friends answered our call. Protecting the Great Lakes has strong bipartisan support in Congress and I am glad to see increased bilateral support between the United States and Canada to preserve these international waters as well.”

“The Great Lakes are a resource both nations share, and it is incumbent on us all to invest in its health and future,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “Canada’s commitment, combined with the major investments made by Congress, will deliver economic and environmental returns for generations to come.”

On March 8th, Congressman Huizenga led a letter to President Biden with Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) encouraging the President to press the Canadian Government to increase their commitment to protecting the Great Lakes. Yesterday, during a House Foreign Affairs Hearing, Congressman Huizenga asked Secretary of State Anthony Blinken if President Biden would address Canadian funding for the Great Lakes during his trip to Ottawa. Secretary Blinken confirmed to Rep. Huizenga that it would be on the agenda. Video of that exchange is available above.