The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is asking for $7 billion over 10 years from Canadian and American governments.
The organization advocates for water protection and infrastructure as well as projects to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as coastal erosion and flooding.
St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik is part of the initiative, and says they are facing some challenges from the US.
"When the current president took over from President Obama, one of the first things he did was cut the Great Lakes Restoration Fund. At that point it was a $600 million investment that was being made into the American side, and he reduced that down to about $100 million."
Sendzik says the most recent ask is an increase for both federal governments, but the Initiative is also asking provinces and states to consider how they can support the work as well.
Officials say nearly one-third of all Canadian and American economic activity centres on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence region.