National Water Policy

For years, water protection in Canada has suffered from deregulation and budget cuts at both the federal and provincial levels. The Council of Canadians has long advocated for the modernization of federal water policies. A federal agency has the potential to help implement the human right to water and sanitation, centering Indigenous rights and community interests. It could improve standards for regulating dangerous contaminants such as lead in our drinking water. It could protect our lakes and rivers from risky and unnecessary energy megaprojects.

Unfortunately, however, it appears the new Canada Water Agency, which came into effect in 2022 and which the federal Liberals first proposed in 2019, falls short of meeting those goals. As an agency with little regulatory or enforcement powers, it will be all carrot and no stick. Read more.