The Conversation - Canada’s water governance and management systems threaten the country’s water supply
“Most of Canada will have to adapt to longer dry periods and increasing water stress with competing demands for the limited supply.”
The Bow River is pictured in Canmore, Alta., in May 2021. Little reliable data exists on the flow rates of most of Canada’s rivers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
This recent article from The Conversation highlights how Canada’s fragmented water governance and growing consumption threaten the country’s freshwater future. Despite having access to 20% of the world’s freshwater, Canadians are among the highest per-capita water users, consuming more than twice the United Nations’ recommended limit. While Canada has historically avoided major water shortages, climate change and mismanagement are increasing the risk of scarcity.
The article emphasizes that water in Canada is primarily governed at the provincial and territorial levels, creating a patchwork system that complicates data collection, regulation and long-term planning. Climate change is further exacerbating water stress, driving extreme weather events like wildfires, droughts and floods. In the Prairies, where agriculture relies heavily on irrigation, diminishing water supplies pose a serious risk to food production and economic stability. Despite growing water efficiencies, agricultural use still accounts for a significant portion of overall consumption, leading to long-term environmental impacts.
Canada’s current system prioritizes industrial and agricultural users while failing to account for ecosystem health and Indigenous water rights; as demand increases and climate pressures intensify, Canada must adopt a more unified approach to water governance, ensuring sustainable management that balances economic, environmental and social needs.
As these challenges grow, initiatives like the Canada1Water project (C1W) become increasingly important. Investments in environmental prediction, whole-system modelling and data-driven management strategies— like those provided by Canada1Water — are essential to securing the future of Canada’s water resources.