WATER

Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors

Access to clean, sustainable supplies of water is essential for the operation and growth of Canada’s major natural resource sectors — energy, mining, forest, and agriculture. The health of our ecosystems is also dependent upon those same clean, sustainable water supplies, creating the potential for competing uses. Canada’s apparent water abundance masks a looming scarcity challenge for our important natural resource sectors and for certain regions of our country.

Changing Currents is the result of over a year of research and engagement involving some of the country’s leading experts on water management and policy, and collaboration with key industry representatives and associations. Learn more...

NRTEE Vice Chair Robert Slater (centre) and NRTEE President and CEO David McLaughlin (right) present the NRTEE report "Changing Currents: Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada's Natural Resource Sectors" to Environment Minister Jim Prentice (left).

About the program

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) is undertaking a new research program on Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors.

The NRTEE will add value to the national water agenda by examining the relationship between water and the forestry, mining, agricultural, and energy sectors. The work will lead to a clearer, deeper understanding of the policy issues and choices needed for the long-term sustainability of our economy and water for ecosystems and society. This research is framed in the context of changes in supply, availability and distribution as a result of both climate change and rising demand. Learn more...

NRTEE @ work

» Canadian Water Summit

On June 17th, the NRTEE hosted a plenary session at the Canadian Water Summit entitled "Water Sustainability and Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors: Realities, Barriers and Opportunities". Panelists discussed both the barriers that stand in the way of improved water management and the possible solutions for better ecosystem health and sustainable economic prosperity. View the NRTEE presentation »

» Canadian Water Governance

Exploring the Changing Role of the Natural Resource Sectors in Canadian Water Governance: Implications and Opportunities
Workshop Report

February 1, 2010 - The NRTEE collaborated with the Water Policy and Governance Group to explore the changing landscape of water governance in Canada, focusing on implications for industries in the natural resource sectors.

• Workshop Report
• Workshop Overview
• Workshop Photos

» Multi-stakeholder Sector Roundtable Meetings

As part of the research agenda for Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada's Natural Resource Sectors the NRTEE collaborated with Canada’s leading industry associations in the natural resource sectors to launch a series of multi-stakeholder sector roundtable meetings.

• Mining Sector - October 16, 2009
• Nuclear Sector - October 28, 2009
• Oil and Gas Sector - November 3, 2009
• Agriculture Sector - November 12, 2009
• Forestry Sector - November 24, 2009

» Charting a Path: Water and Canada's Natural Resource Sector - Expert Workshop

On February 24th, 2009, the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy hosted a workshop entitled “Charting a Path: Water and Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors”.  The NRTEE solicited advice from close to 50 stakeholders from across Canada representing the natural resource sectors, academia, Aboriginal, non-governmental organizations and governments. The aim was to inform the NRTEE on where it could provide the greatest value and to confirm the key current and emerging issues and opportunities in the interface between the natural resources sectors, climate change, and water use. Learn more...