Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, which included the Canada Water Agency Act, royal assent on June 20, 2024. It sought to establish the Canada Water Agency (CWA) as a standalone entity outside of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The Act also outlined various administrative and transition provisions for the standalone Agency.

Before the CWA can officially launch as a standalone agency, several Orders in Council are required, including:

• Naming the CWA’s interim president.
• Establishing Winnipeg as the CWA headquarters.
• Setting the coming-into-force date of the Canada Water Agency Act.

The CWA expects to secure the Orders in Council over the coming months, which would allow the standalone CWA to launch this fall (date to be determined).

The CWA will host an event in Winnipeg to celebrate the launch, outline the Agency’s mandate and work, and build relationships with partners and stakeholders.