The State of Water Policy and Law in Canada

Effective water policies and governance structures that protect the nation’s water resources are of critical importance to Canadians. Public opinion research shows that Canadians regard fresh water as the country’s most important natural resource and a key strategic asset (to learn more, see Public Opinion). Encouragingly, Canadians believe the protection of water resources is a shared responsibility – meaning that all levels of government, First Nations, civil society, businesses and individuals have a role to play in conserving this important resource. However, there are troublesome signs that our water resources are threatened due to poor water management, turf wars and the tangled web of water policy and law that persists in Canada.

Visit these pages to learn more about the state of water policy in Canada.

Water Governance in Canada – key water policy actors in Canada and their role in water management

Living Water Policy Project – FLOW has partnered with the Living Water Policy Project to improve the reliability and accessibility of water policy data in Canada

FLOW Monitor – a regularly published bulletin advancing the water policy debate in Canada