WC141 MarApr 2025 - Magazine - Page 5
EDITOR’S NOTE
Protecting Canada’s Water
PROJECTS l POLICY l INNOVATION
MARCH/APRIL 2025 • VOLUME 25, NUMBER 2
EDITOR/VP CONTENT & PARTNERSHIPS
Corinne Lynds
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Charlie Evans
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John Tenpenny, Connie Vitello
ART DIRECTOR AND SENIOR DESIGNER
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Gordon Feller, Hiran Sandanayake, Amy Winchester,
Madeleine Butschler
WATER CANADA ADVISORY BOARD
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Jon Grant, Robert Haller, Linda Li,
Michael Lywood, Eric Meliton, Ranin Nseir,
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Min Do
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CANADA IS HOME to some of the world’s most abundant
freshwater resources, but let’s not kid ourselves—we can’t take
this for granted. With water shortages plaguing parts of the U.S.,
especially out west, there’s a growing concern that Canada could
face pressure to “share” its water. Meanwhile, climate change is wreaking havoc on our
lakes and rivers—including those we share with our southern neighbours, like the Great
Lakes and the Columbia River. This puts Canada’s water industry in a tricky position
where vigilance, adaptability, and diplomacy matter more than ever.
We’ve long managed cross-border water through agreements like the Boundary
Waters Treaty, but history tells us that as U.S. demand rises, so do the calls for Canadian water exports. And then there’s Trump, who recently claimed there’s a “very large
faucet” that could simply be turned on to send Canada’s water south. If only things
were that simple.
For Canadian water leaders, this means staying proactive in policy discussions and
engaging with groups like the International Joint Commission. Sitting on the sidelines
isn’t an option. We need to ensure that any water-sharing decisions are made with
Canada’s long-term security in mind.
But protecting our water isn’t just about keeping it within our borders. We also need
to invest in resilient infrastructure. Many of our shared water systems are aging, and if
we don’t act soon, we risk costly failures—like the recent siphon burst on the St. Mary
Canal, which disrupted water supply to both sides of the border.
Then there’s climate change. Extreme weather events—floods, droughts, and heat
waves—are becoming the norm, putting additional stress on already strained water
systems. Investing in adaptive infrastructure, like better flood defenses and drought-resistant storage, isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
This isn’t all bad news. Canada has an opportunity to lead. As demand for sustainable water solutions grows, Canadian companies are well-positioned to drive innovation
in treatment, recycling, and conservation technologies. This not only strengthens our
domestic water security but also opens up new markets globally.
Of course, trade tensions and tariffs could make it harder for Canadian water companies operating in the U.S. That’s why diversification is key—expanding into new
markets will help safeguard against policy shifts that could impact our industry.
Ultimately, protecting Canada’s water requires action on multiple fronts: investing
in infrastructure, shaping policy, fostering innovation, and keeping the public engaged.
The more Canadians understand the value of water, the more support there will be for
the tough decisions needed to protect it.
So, while there’s no “very large faucet” ready to be turned on, Canada’s water
industry does have a crucial tap to control—one that ensures our water remains secure,
sustainable, and beneficial for generations to come.
Corinne Lynds is Vice President, Content and Partnerships at Actual Media,
and Editor of Water Canada. watercanada@actualmedia.ca
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WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
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