The Government of Canada created the Canada Water Agency within Environment and Climate Change Canada in June 2023 with a mandate to improve freshwater management by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to address freshwater challenges and opportunities. The Government of Canada introduced legislation in November 2023 to create a standalone Canada Water Agency.

The Canada Water Agency is leading the delivery of the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan including eight Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives across Canada. The Agency has a call for applications for partner-led projects that take action to improve water quality in freshwater ecosystem initiatives, as well as across Canada through the EcoAction Community Funding Program.

As one of its early priorities, the Canada Water Agency is leading the review of the Canada Water Act. Recently, the Canada Water Agency kicked off the first phase of the review process with Indigenous Representatives, provinces and territories. This phase will focus on designing plans for broader engagement.

The Canada Water Agency is also leading the development of a National Freshwater Data Strategy. This Strategy will enhance data interoperability, sharing and collaboration with Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the public.

More information about the Canada Water Agency and funding program details is available here.