As we confront wildfires, droughts, and declining aquifers, the protection of our freshwater resources is critical. The Canada Water Agency has been coordinating and funding protection and restoration of waters systems for a few years. Established in 2023, the Agency was a welcome hub of funding and coordination.

Protecting water is not just about the preservation of habitats and access to clean drinking water. It’s about the health of the ecosystems that sustain our communities and our lives. Healthy water systems are essential in mitigating wildfire risks, preventing soil erosion, and producing healthy local food.

In so many ways, water is life.

But Canada’s capacity to protect water is under attack.

The Canada Water Agency is facing major budget cuts. Leaked communications suggest vital water protection and restoration programs would be eliminated or severely reduced.

As the central coordinating body for freshwater management in Canada, the Canada Water Agency plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our water resources. Its primary mission is to facilitate collaboration and ensure effective management and protection of freshwater systems across the country.

The immediate consequence of these reductions is a diminished capacity to lead and finance important projects under the Freshwater Action Plan. This may result in fewer initiatives related to shoreline rehabilitation, sustainable farming practices, and water infrastructure modernization. Such impacts could lead to compromised water supplies, increased pollution, erosion, and harmful algal blooms.

Join us in advocating for the preservation of the Canada Water Agency and the expansion of its mandate in this critical time. Use our tool to write a letter to Minister Dabrusin. Together, we can work to prevent these budget cuts and support a strong, empowered agency dedicated to protecting our essential water resources and the well-being of all Canadians.