Look west, and you'll see Alberta's neighbour, British Columbia, changing how it manages and governs water (see http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/water-act/). Ultimately, British Columbians are looking to modernize their Water Act, just like Albertans. Unfortunately, British Columbians have a better public process than we do.

British Columbia's water rights system is very similar to Alberta's. They're both First In Time, First In Right (FITFIR) systems installed at around the turn of the last century. However, unlike Alberta's, British Columbia's FITFIR actively pursues public input to tackle the challenges of a growing population, climate change, and water use.

Albertans may not have the same opportunity to modernize Alberta's water allocation system. British Columbians have clear time frames for their input, from fall 2009 to spring 2010. British Columbians have new proposals to discuss among First Nations, stakeholders, and the public. The government has provided British Columbians a variety of opportunities to comment, including regional workshops, online discussions, and written submissions. In fact, a diagram of the process exists so that the public may follow how their input is put into the policy.

Albertans, on the other hand, have yet to see the details of their public process to determine the future of their water. We have yet to see a time frame or the level of engagement the provincial government plans to put forward. Most Albertans surveyed (85%, see http://www.water-matters.org/story/284) understand the importance of water. Don't we deserve a rigorous and transparent system too? Want one?

Please write to Honorable Minister of the Environment Rob Renner:

425 Legislature Building

Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2B6

rob.renner@assembly.ab.ca