Prime Minister Stephen Harper points to a research ship as he talks to Lake Winnipeg researcher Dr. Al Kristofferson (L) on Gimli Beach Thursday, August 2, 2012. Harper announced funding for second phase clean up of Lake Winnipeg at a press conference.JOHN WOODS/The Canadian Press
There's more money coming from the federal government to help clean up Lake Winnipeg.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised another $18-million from Ottawa during a news conference at a lakeshore hotel in Gimli.
Funding for a cleanup project that began in 2008 was due to end this year, but Harper is committing federal support for another five years.
The second phase of cleanup is to focus on improving water quality for the fishing industry on the lake as well as for recreational users.
The Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative aims to reduce pollution from agriculture, industry and waste water.
Mr. Harper also said he would be happy to talk with the Manitoba government about ways to prevent damage from flooding so as to minimize huge compensation payouts each year.