Accessibility and Access Keys [0]
The Gordon Water Group of Concerned Scientists and Citizens, a new coalition of water scientists and policy experts, today released Changing the Flow: A Blueprint for Federal Action on Freshwater – a comprehensive action plan for the protection of Canada’s fresh water.
“We are pleased to see that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of sustainable clean water to Canadians. The Gordon Water Group has released a blueprint for federal action on freshwater that we believe provides the direction needed to protect Canada’s freshwater,” said Brenda Lucas, Water Programme Manager of the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, which supported the blueprint.
After two decades of dwindling federal action on fresh water policy, the Gordon Water Group is encouraged by what appears to be a renewed interest in water at the federal level in Canada. In the recent Speech from the Throne, the federal government committed to create a new water strategy, and all federal parties have made new commitments on freshwater policy in Canada. It is critical that all parties cooperate to quickly develop and implement a comprehensive freshwater action plan.
“Canadians are concerned about their water resources. They are seeing melting glaciers and drought in the Prairies, falling water levels in the Great Lakes, and worsening pollution in many of our rivers and lakes. The profound effects that climate change is predicted to have on water quality and quantity only increase the urgency,” says Tony Maas, Senior Freshwater Policy Advisor with WWF-Canada and one of the authors of the report.
The Blueprint released today is intended to provide the basis for that plan. It is a framework for strengthening the federal role in protecting Canada’s water. Lucas adds: “We hope to work with the federal government and all federal parties to help them implement a plan to protect water quality, manage water uses, and collaborate effectively with other levels of government including Aboriginal governments.”
Changing the Flow identifies seven priority areas where the federal government must take action on fresh water:
* Securing safe drinking water for all Canadians
* Protecting aquatic ecosystems and aboriginal water rights
* Responding to the impacts of climate change
* Preventing interjurisdictional conflicts and bulk water exports
* Promoting a culture of water conservation
* Enhancing national capacity for freshwater protection; and
* Developing world class water science
It was sent to all federal Members of Parliament today, and is available at
www.gordonwatergroup.ca
– 30 –
For further information:
Brenda Lucas, Programme Manager (Freshwater Resources Protection), Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation: (416) 601-4776