Skip to content

MP MacGregor seeks federal Lake Cowichan weir funding

Federal funding to raise the Lake Cowichan weir is on MP Alistair MacGregor’s wish this this holiday season.

Federal funding to raise the Lake Cowichan weir is on MP Alistair MacGregor’s wish this this holiday season.

On Wednesday, Dec. 6, MacGregor used Question Period in the House of Commons to ask Fisheries and Oceans Minister Dominic Leblanc to provide the money.

“The Cowichan River in my riding is a designated heritage river with significant cultural and historical importance to the Cowichan people. Climate change is causing unprecedented dry springs and summers and river water flows frequently reach critically low levels, endangering fish and fish habitat,” MacGregor explained, adding the Liberals promised to protect communities from climate change with investments in green infrastructure.

“The salmon that depend on the Cowichan River need strong federal leadership. Will the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans commit in this House today to providing federal funds to raise the Cowichan weir?” he asked.

While Leblanc did agree the Cowichan River is a critical fish habitat and that it needs to be protected, he did not signal his specific support for the weir project.

“We obviously share his concern for fish and fish habitat. Our government is doing more to protect fish and fish habitat. I look forward to working with my colleague in that regard,” the minister said.



Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
Read more