FLOW Monitor - past issues
This special edition of the FLOW Monitor looks northward to the innovative approach to water management developed in the Northwest Territories (NWT) and its potential applicability elsewhere in Canada. Articles include:
- Raising the Bar in Canadian Water Policy: a discussion on the innovative elements of Northern Voices, Northern Waters: The Northwest Territories Water Stewardship Strategy
- Challenges ahead: potential roadblocks to implementing the strategy
- Transboundary Management: a comparison of transboundary water issues in the NWT, Great Lakes-St. Lawrence and Prairie provinces
- The Mackenzie River Basin in a Changing Climate: climate change impacts that will affect water management in the NWT
- Mackenzie River Basin Agreements: the potential role of the strategy in bilateral agreement discussions between the NWT and Alberta
- National implications: why FLOW is interested in the strategy and our perspective on its potential value in advancing the water policy reform agenda in Canada
To learn more, please join us for a series of panel presentations in cities across Canada where we will share our ideas on how the visionary principles in the NWT strategy can be applied more broadly to protect water resources in other parts of the country. For more information on tour dates and locations, please click here.
In this edition of the FLOW Monitor, we highlight the need for greater transparency in the public policy process, including the development of comprehensive science and monitoring programs, an increase in publicly accessible information, and a more open dialogue between governments and citizens. The feature articles in this issue illustrate situations in which improved transparency and accountability would strengthen water governance and improve fresh water protection, including:
- Independent scientifi c research and comprehensive monitoring as a foundation for eff ective water management in Alberta’s oil sands;
- Accountable and transparent regulatory bodies to lead Canada’s environmental assessment processes; and
- Science-based, publicly accountable organizations, such as the International Joint Commission to oversee transboundary agreements, including the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
It is our hope that as you read this issue, you will be encouraged by the depth of water policy dialogue occurring across Canada. FLOW will continue to work hard to ensure that these promises and discussions turn into decisive actions that will sustain fresh water resources for all Canadians.
We are pleased to bring you the Winter 2010 edition of the FLOW Monitor.
The first article examines the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment’s new Canada-wide Vision for Water, and why FLOW thinks this is a positive step forward. Subsequent articles review the numerous parliamentary commitments to implement national water strategy; impacts of climate change on Canada’s water resources; process for defining environmental flows in the Athabasca River; and the Rosenberg Forum’s recommendations for the Northwest Territories’ new water strategy.
Download the FLOW Monitor to read about Canadian water issues. In the first issue, read about important developments including Environment Canada's progress on key national water priorities, efforts to develop a comprehensive Federal freshwater strategy and recent developments in First Nations drinking water policies.
