While the last election didn’t change the minority situation at all, it did lead to a Cabinet shuffle with shifts in the many ministries related to water. This calls for new Mandate Letters for each minister. These letters clarify specific directions for that ministry to meet the Government’s broader objectives. We have been following and contributing to a number of policies and programs over the years and we look to these mandate letters to see which of these projects are still being supported, or if there might be new projects.
The Government’s overriding attention is still focused on climate change (mostly energy and climate impacts) and refers to a "whole-of-government” effort. A Climate Data Strategy was noted under several of the ministers calling for data to "ensure the private sector and communities have access to data to inform planning and infrastructure decisions.”
Most importantly, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change was given renewed direction to establish the Canada Water Agency and implement a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan. Through the Canada Water Agency, the ministry is to advance the modernization of the Canada Water Act to better recognize climate change and Indigenous rights and to strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The Minister is also to develop a Strengthened Climate Plan by implementing the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act and updating the Emissions Reduction Plan. Of high priority is the finalization of the National Adaptation Strategy in 2022. We are to achieve Zero Plastic Waste by 2030 by further implementing the national ban on single-use plastics.
Most of the Minister of Health’s directives were related to addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including wastewater surveillance programs. Two other notable items are to protect Canadians from harmful chemicals through the Canada Environmental Protection Act, and from pesticides through the Pest Control Products Act.
The Ministers of Public Safety and of Natural Resources had a lot about forest fire management and firefighting, but nothing on flooding, drought or flood mapping as a focus. However, the Minister of Emergency Preparedness (now separated from Public Safety) is directed to "bolster national resilience and readiness to pandemics and other emergencies.” This directive did include a "whole-of-government” Planning and Preparedness Strategy to address the catastrophic impacts of climate change. This included preparedness for the impact of floods in high risk areas and the completion of a mapping portal with resources on how best to protect homes and communities. The Emergency Preparedness Minister is also to conduct a comprehensive review of the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Program and develop a plan for low-cost flood insurance.
You can read the full letters here:
Mandate Letters | Prime Minister of Canada (pm.gc.ca)
CWWA Events & Releases:
After we wrapped up a very successful national webinar series through January and February, we were able to offer two more great events.
Workforce Development Guidance Document:
On March 10th we were proud to release a new guidance document from our Utility Leadership Committee focused on the challenges of managing our people – our most important asset and one of our most pressing challenges. The full document is available for all on our website along with a link to watch the presentations from the March 10th Launch Event. My thanks go to the full Working Group and their leader Greg Archibald, as well as to my co-editors Madeleine Butschler and Kara Parisien.
Safe Drinking Water Through Quality Management:
This was a tremendous 2-part webinar series presented March 21st and 22nd. The depth of the topic and the breadth of the presenters called for it to be its own event. The sessions were fascinating and very well attended with attendees from around the world. A great way to recognize World Water Day! Great thanks to the Subcommittee of the CWWA Drinking Water Quality Committee, especially to chair and moderator Laith Furatian and to Communications Manager Kara Parisien.
If you missed these sessions, don’t fret. You can access the recordings of these webinars from our website as well as information for gaining CEU’s.
Canadian Water and Wastewater Association