Ottawa launches consultations for a water security strategy

Ottawa launches consultations for a water security strategy ANDREA WOO RICHMOND, B.C. PUBLISHED 18 MINUTES AGO Open this photo in gallery: A view of the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C. Wade Grant, parliamentary secretary to Environment and Climate Change Minister, said the Canada Water Agency is engaging stakeholders across a range of sectors. DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. The federal government is asking Canadians to help shape the country’s first water security strategy as competing demands, climate change and tensions with the U.S. raise the stakes for the country’s freshwater resources. The Canada Water Agency this week launched public engagement for the strategy, which aims to improve freshwater management, protect ecosystems and secure water supplies. Wade Grant, parliamentary secretary to Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin, who is responsible for the Canada Water Agency, announced the launch of public engagement at a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday. Similar announcements also took place in Winnipeg and Toronto. Mr. Grant called water security “one of the defining challenges of our time.” “With increasingly frequent severe droughts, forest fires or floods impacting every corner of this country, we can see that water availability and water quality are changing,” said Mr. Grant, who is the MP for Vancouver Quadra. “This is the direct result of climate change. We know more must be done.” The Canada Water Agency was launched in 2024 with a mandate to improve freshwater management and protection across the country. The national water security strategy was first announced in March. Open this photo in gallery: Liberal member of Parliament Wade Grant responds during question period in the House of Commons. June 12. Mr. Grant says the development of the strategy is independent from threats directed from the U.S., which has increasingly challenged Canada’s water sovereignty. SEAN KILPATRICK/THE CANADIAN PRESS Mr. Grant said the Canada Water Agency is engaging provinces and territories; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners; and other stakeholders across a range of sectors. The public is invited to weigh in until Oct. 26, with a summary of findings to be released later this year. There were few details on how a national water security strategy will improve upon current…