On October 16, the newly established Canada Water Agency officially announced its formation. As an independent federal entity, the agency will coordinate and collaborate with provincial, territorial, and Indigenous governments to enhance freshwater management across Canada.
One of the agency’s primary initiatives is to lead the implementation of a freshwater ecosystem program across Canada’s eight major water bodies. This program aims to restore and protect water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems, while also improving resilience to climate change. The water bodies involved include the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, the St. Lawrence River, the Fraser River, the Mackenzie River, and Lake Simcoe.
Additionally, the agency is currently focused on reviewing the existing Canadian Water Resources Act to promote updates and improvements. It aims to collaborate with partners and stakeholders to develop a national freshwater data strategy, support freshwater scientific research, and work with Indigenous communities on related water issues.
The planning for the water agency began in 2019, and it initially operated as a branch of the Department of Environment and Climate Change, officially becoming an independent federal agency when the relevant bill passed in June 2023.
In its 2023 budget, the government allocated CA$650 million over ten years to implement the freshwater ecosystem program. The Canada Water Agency is still overseen by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with five regional offices. The agency is currently set to employ approximately 220 staff members.
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