August 13, 2026
One-of-a-kind lab attracts researchers from around the world to the Experimental Lakes Area
KENORA — The Ontario government is investing $2 million through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support the construction of a new Centre for Climate and Lake Learning at the International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA). As part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help strengthen northern Ontario’s leadership in freshwater science, support research and innovation and create new educational and economic opportunities in the region.
“Ontario is home to abundant freshwater resources, and this investment will help ensure northwestern Ontario remains a global leader in freshwater science and research,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “By supporting the construction of the new Centre for Climate and Lake Learning, we are expanding opportunities for scientific discovery, education and economic growth while creating benefits for communities across the region.”
The IISD-ELA is a globally recognized natural laboratory consisting of 58 lakes and their surrounding watersheds dedicated to freshwater research. It is the only facility in the world where scientists can conduct experiments on entire lake ecosystems, generating scientific knowledge that informs environmental policy, resource management and conservation efforts internationally.
The IISD-ELA will use NOHFC funding to construct a new 10,914-square-foot Centre for Climate and Lake Learning. Located approximately 50 kilometres east of Kenora, the new facility will include a classroom learning lab, commercial kitchen, dining hall, washrooms, office space and dormitory accommodations for researchers and visitors.
“Who we are, what we represent, what we believe in and what we see for the future is what the IISD-ELA and the NOHFC are all about,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River. “Today is a culmination of historic friendships and partnerships between our government and IISD-ELA, built on a shared belief in what we have right here in northwestern Ontario: a world-renowned facility where we celebrate, learn and live science.”
The new centre will increase the site’s capacity to accommodate the growing number of scientists and researchers who participate in programs each year. It will also create new opportunities for year-round education and outreach, including programming for elementary and secondary school students from across northwestern Ontario. Design work began in January 2025, and construction is expected to be completed by April 2027.
“It is truly an honour to be able to bring Canada’s Centre for Climate and Lake Learning right here to the heart of northwestern Ontario,” said Pauline Gerrard, Executive Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development Experimental Lakes Area. “This is more than just a 10,000-square-foot building. It is a space for Canadians to discover the science of the fresh water that nourishes and populates our country, to build the next generation of freshwater scientists and to inspire new ideas, new science, new ways of thinking.”
The Ontario government is prioritizing investments through the NOHFC that protect northern industries and jobs, mitigate the impacts of U.S. tariffs and trade disruptions and secure new opportunities for the long-term prosperity of northern Ontario. The renewed focus is boosting competitiveness and ensuring the North remains a leader in Ontario’s economy. This new direction is in addition to the province’s investment of an additional $30 million over three years, bringing the NOHFC’s annual budget to a total of $110 million. Together, these initiatives will benefit communities of all sizes, both rural and urban, including Indigenous communities.
Quick Facts
- On August 12, the IISD-ELA hosted a community open house to showcase its research and educational programs.
- The IISD-ELA consists of 58 lakes and their watersheds dedicated to freshwater research on more than 11,000 hectares of protected Crown land.
- Through its funding programs, the NOHFC offers support to public and private sector economic development projects across northern Ontario.
- Since June 2018, the NOHFC has invested more than $1 billion in over 8,600 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging more than $3.3 billion in investment and creating or sustaining over 13,400 jobs.
Additional Resources
- The NOHFC, Northern Development Officesand Small Business Enterprise Centres support northern communities, businesses and other stakeholders in identifying economic development opportunities and government funding programs.
Media ContactSam McCormick Media Relations |
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