On October 16, 2024, in Winnipeg, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, officially announced the establishment of the Canada Water Agency as a standalone federal entity.
Daniel Wolfish remains at the helm as Interim President, pending the selection of a permanent President through a Privy Council Office-led process in 2025.
In 2025, the Agency will focus on three key areas of work — visit the Agency’s new webpage for a full list of priorities.
- Reviewing the Canada Water Act
The Canada Water Agency is spearheading a review of the Canada Water Act to ensure that the legislation addresses Canada’s modern freshwater challenges. The Agency continues to collaborate with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners in the pre-engagement phase. Recent activities include piloting an Indigenous Grassroots Water Circle in October 2024, holding ongoing information sessions and funding discussions with Indigenous partners to support engagement, and developing tailored engagement plans with provinces and territories.
The Agency plans to launch a comprehensive engagement process to gather substantive input from partners and the broader public, followed by recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding a path forward for the Canada Water Act. This could include amendments to the legislation and/or the development of other policy tools.
- Developing a National Freshwater Data Strategy
The Canada Water Agency is developing a National Freshwater Data Strategy to enhance the value of freshwater data and improve the stewardship of surface and groundwater resources.
- In September, the Agency held a 2-day in-person data workshop at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, which was attended by over 100 freshwater data experts to discuss shared challenges and identify impactful actions.
- The Agency is continuing to collaboratively develop the National Freshwater Data Strategy, including incorporating feedback received on a discussion paper earlier this year. A draft strategy is expected in 2025. For more information, contact the Canada Water Agency Data Office at [email protected].
- Restoring and Protecting Freshwater Ecosystems
The Canada Water Agency is leading Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives (FEIs) across eight nationally significant waterbodies in Canada, in support of support Canada’s Freshwater Action Plan. The FEIs support regionally specific actions to restore and protect water quality and ecosystem health.
In 2024, the Canada Water Agency is providing more than $90 million in grants and contributions to 175 different projects across the country to respond to priority issues in local ecosystems. This includes projects focused on:
- Improving ecosystem health in areas impacted by historical pollution in the Great Lakes.
- Preventing toxic and nuisance algae in Lake Erie.
- Supporting landowners’ implementation of management practices to protect water quality and reduce nutrient loading in Lake Winnipeg.
- Using Indigenous knowledge and Western science to train the next generation of land stewards in watershed health and wetland restoration.
For more information on funding opportunities, see the Agency’s website.
To connect with the Canada Water Agency, reach out to [email protected].