Posted: October 28, 2022
Ottawa Riverkeeper Receives Federal Funding for River House Renovations
Ottawa Riverkeeper celebrates a major milestone by announcing federal funding for its planned move to new location on the Ottawa River.
Ottawa – October 28th, 2022. Ottawa Riverkeeper is pleased to share a series of announcements pertaining to a planned move into the National Capital Commissions’ newly refurbished River House. The announcements began with the news that Ottawa Riverkeeper has entered into a 5 year, renewable lease agreement with the NCC for the top floor of River House and half of the lower level. The new location will provide the charitable organization with direct access to the river for programming, and enable substantial growth.
The second announcement was from Minister Mona Fortier and MP Yasir Naqvi of a Government of Canada commitment of $750,000 through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) for the fit-up of Ottawa Riverkeeper’s interior spaces at River House. These will include a freshwater science lab, a new all-ages education space, a conference and collaboration hub, and office space for the organization.
The final announcement was the formation of a Campaign Cabinet of dedicated volunteers who have pledged to see this project completed. Co-chairs Colleen Westeinde and Michel Drouin announced the formation of this group, which will bring Ottawa Riverkeeper’s vision for River House to life. The members of the cabinet are:
- Colleen Westeinde (Co-Chair)
- Michel Drouin (Co-Chair)
- Paul Drouin
- Jeff Parkes
- Nicholas Bouquet
- Éric Déry
- Craig Stewart
- Geoff Green
- Velma McColl
- Kimberly Biggs
- Charles Desjardins
- Linda Dwyer-Commando
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About Ottawa Riverkeeper
Ottawa Riverkeeper, a charitable organization, is a champion and collective voice for the Ottawa River watershed, providing leadership and inspiration to protect, promote and improve its ecological health and future. Expert and independent, our organization advocates for responsible and participatory decision-making, public education, access to information, and compliance with protective regulations. Guided by a science-based approach, we provide clear information with the aim to engage the public and empower citizens and decision-makers to ensure clean, healthy, and accessible water for all people and species.
About FedDev Ontario
For 14 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information:
Matthew Brocklehurst, Communications Manager
media@ottawariverkeeper.ca