Objective 1: Sustainable Watershed Governance
See our Programme Highlights
OBJECTIVE: To encourage policies and programs that foster an integrated watershed approach that embeds conservation and demand management as the foundation of water management.
Peter Gleick has described 'the changing water paradigm' to include many components: a shift away from sole, or even primary, reliance on finding new sources of supply to address perceived new demands; a growing emphasis on incorporating ecological values into water policy; a re-emphasis on meeting basic human needs for water services; and a conscious breaking of the ties between economic growth and water use. His definition fits well with the Foundation's goal for this objective.
We are beginning to experience a shift in Canada toward local watershed management, and the development of source water protection approaches in some provinces. This provides an opportunity for the development of a watershed focus and more effective engagement of civil society in water management. The Foundation seeks to support and inform this shift. We believe that watershed management must address issues of water quantity as well as quality, thus continue to support an emphasis on demand management and the potential for application of soft path alternatives.
Our focus on "governance" was chosen because it explicitly includes a role for non-government actors in the process of decision-making and implementation. It does not imply a reduced role for government, or a substitute for regulation or monitoring. Our focus on policy includes water allocation - decisions about who is able to use what amount of water and at what (if any) cost. We recognize that policies meant to address specific sectors may have a major impact on water management.
In order for water management to be "sustainable" it must respect ecological limits. It is also critical to recognize the current and potential impacts of climate change on water availability and the need they impose for new approaches to management.
Regional water scarcity, the impacts of climate change, the cost of increasing the supply of water and the uncertainties of international agreements to protect water resources illustrate the need to reduce our consumption and manage our water use responsibly.
"The water crisis is essentially a crisis of governance."
UNDP World Water Report 2003
"Establishing limits and recognizing ecosystems as legitimate "users"
of finite water resources are critical steps toward sustainable water
management…[there is a] need for a broader dialogue on developing sustainability
- the process through which ecological principles become embedded in
institutions and decision making."
"Not only is reducing water demand through conservation and efficiency
often a cheaper alternative to almost any supply-side option, it can
be implemented more rapidly, adaptively, and with less environmental
damage than supply-side options."
Brandes and Maas (2006) CWRA paper, 'What we govern and what governs
us: Developing sustainability in Canadian water management'.
The following Highlights provide examples of the work being funded by the Foundation in the field of sustainable watershed governance:
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Blue, Green and Virtual Water Requirements in the Driest Watershed in Canada
This groundbreaking report, the first of its kind in Canada, compares the irrigation requirements of different crops and recreational uses such as fruit orchards, forage crops, vegetables and golf courses in the Okanagan watershed. -
Water Here, Water There: Can we protect watersheds in the face of future demands in Alberta and beyond?
Free public forum and launch of Eau Canada in Calgary September 17th. -
Real and Virtual Water and Water Footprints: A Comparison between the Lower Fraser Valley and the Okanagan Basin
New study on incorporating “virtual water” into water budget work in the Okanagan, BC by Hans Schreier, UBC. -
More for Less: Using the soft path to meet future needs with less water
With support from the Foundation, Friends of the Earth has been leading collaboration between researchers from Acadia University, University of Waterloo and POLIS Project on Ecological Governance to apply the water soft path in Canada. -
Public engagement works to defeat pipeline proposal in Manitoba
Clean Environment Commission turns down its first proposal since its inception in 1988. -
Water policy development in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is at a pivotal point regarding which direction it will go to meet its water needs. -
Sierra Club of Canada continues work on sustainable water use in the Great Lakes and nationally
The Ontario government recently posted for public comment draft legislation to implement the Great Lakes Charter Agreement. Sierra Club is working to inform the implementation of this important agreement, as well as to promote a national water strategy. -
Water Wisdom ad in the Hill Times
On December 4th, the Gordon Foundation ran a full page ad in the Hill Times newspaper to share messages from our grant recipients. -
From Demand Management to "Soft Path" Water Planning
Exploring new ways of managing our water use in Canada. -
Smart Growth and Smart Water Use in the Okanagan
Working with local stakeholders to develop and implement innovative "smart growth" planning in Oliver, BC. -
Water Policy in Alberta
Contributing to improved water management policy in Alberta. -
Implementing Ontario's Clean Water Act
Informing the legislation and building toward implementation of Ontario's groundbreaking Source Water Protection act. -
Second Water Policy Symposium hosted by the Foundation
Grant recipients, Water Policy Fellows and advisors to the Fresh Water Resources Protection Programme gathered with Trustees and other local colleagues in Calgary September 17th to share their work on water policy across Canada.