About the Canada Water Act review
Description of the Canada Water Act
Proclaimed in 1970, the Canada Water Act is federal legislation administered by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada. Its purpose is to support and provide for the management of water resources in Canada.
To this end, the Canada Water Act enables cooperation among federal, provincial, and territorial governments in the conservation, development, and use of water resources. There are four main parts of the Act:
Part I) provides for the establishment of federal-provincial/territorial arrangements and programs in relation to water resource management. It also enables the Minister of the Environment, independently or with others, to conduct research, collect data, and establish inventories on water resources.
Part II) provides for the establishment of federal-provincial/territorial water quality management agreements and programs; and prohibits pollution in designated areas. This part of the Act has never been used
Part III) provided for regulating the concentration of nutrients in cleaning agents and water conditioner. It was repealed in 1985 and is now part of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (sections 116–119).
Part IV) contains provisions for the general administration of the Act, including annual reporting to Parliament, inspection and enforcement, advisory committees, and public information programs.
Pre-Engagement
The Canada Water Agency is currently leading “pre-engagement” with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to understand how they would like to engage in the review of the Canada Water Act. Using information shared during pre-engagement, the Canada Water Agency and its partners will develop “engagement plans” for the engagement phase to follow.
Provinces and territories
The pre-engagement phase for the review of the Canada Water Act started with an information session for provincial and territorial representatives. This was followed by bilateral meetings with individual provinces and territories.
A second round of bilateral meetings will occur this fall 2024 to support the finalization of engagement plans.
Indigenous partners
Through spring and summer 2024, the Canada Water Agency held information sessions on the Canada Water Act with Indigenous partners (including National Indigenous Organizations, Indigenous Provincial and Territorial Organizations, Treaty partners and self-governing Indigenous Nations). The Agency also arranged follow-up discussions with individual partners on funding opportunities to support pre-engagement activities. Agency staff will continue to work with Indigenous partners to develop meaningful engagement plans for the engagement phase.
Additionally, the Canada Water Agency is piloting an Indigenous Grassroots Water Circle. The Water Circle is creating an accessible, safe, Indigenous-centered space for the Canada Water Agency to engage directly with Indigenous grassroots individuals on the Canada Water Act review. These individuals include:
- Elders
- youth
- women as water carriers
- parents
- academics
- people with disabilities
- 2SLGBTQ+ individuals
Engagement
Engagement with partners on the substance of the Act is expected to begin in 2025. This engagement will be open to all interested parties, including:
- provinces/territories
- Indigenous partners
- non-governmental organizations
- local community groups
- industry
- academia
- the public
- other stakeholders
Policy research
The Canada Water Agency is undertaking policy research and analysis to support pre-engagement and engagement activities, as well as inform recommendations pertaining to the review of the Canada Water Act. As part of this process, the Agency will engage with other federal departments and agencies to ensure a holistic federal view.
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