Water Matters working in collaboration with a group of Prairie organizations has developed a proposal for Prairie waters. From the Rocky Mountains to Lake Winnipeg an expansive river network connects the Prairie Provinces. Increasingly, there are competing demands being placed on limited water resources across the region. Recognizing these added pressures on a precious resource, the consortium has issued a Prairie Citizens Water Directive outlining how water will be protected across the Prairies.

We want to hear your opinion on the Directive! Through a series of public forums this fall, this Directive seeks to gather a collective voice of citizens calling on governments to address water-related concerns that are critical to society's health and well-being.

Over the past year we have worked with other organizations to develop a vision for Prairie waters, asking the question: How can we have a healthy, prosperous and ecologically sustainable future? With this vision in mind, the consortium formulated expectations of governments to make that vision a reality. These expectations were developed by Water Matters, Manitoba Eco-Network Inc., POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, Saskatchewan Environmental Society, Sierra Club of Canada Prairie Chapter, and Walter & Duncan Gordon Foundation with input from policy experts.

The statement of expectations approach is borrowed from non-governmental organizations in Ontario who, in the wake of the Walkerton tragedy, came together to develop a Statement of Expectations for Watershed-Based Source Protection. That initiative established clear, concise direction on how citizens expected governments to manage and protect drinking water sources. Broad and diverse sign-on by organizations gave that Statement political force. It has proven an effective and forceful tool for citizens to shape water policy.

Higher Expectations

As citizens of the Prairie Provinces, we expect our governments to make sustainable water management a priority. We expect them to engage us, to listen to us, and to lead us in creating comprehensive strategies that lead to action and progress toward a healthy, prosperous and ecologically sustainable future.

How can we achieve this?

• Ensure secure safe, reliable, and sufficient drinking water for all citizens

Safe, secure, reliable, and sufficient water is essential to quality of life. To ensure this, we need to recognize the human right to water. We need to address entrenched and critical issues on First Nations reserves and small communities. We must fully implement multi-barrier approaches to safe drinking water and develop and implement source water protection plans. And we need to create stringent and enforceable water quality standards.

• Protect and restore aquatic ecosystems

Aquatic ecosystems are fundamental to life; they have intrinsic value and provide the natural goods and services we often take for granted. To protect and restore our aquatic ecosystems we need to recognize ecosystems as legitimate users of water and as users ensure their needs are met in water allocation systems. We need to maintain, protect, and restore natural water flows. We need to prevent pollution of aquatic ecosystems and aquifers. More holistically, we need to improve integration of land use, economic development, and water management.

• Manage our water demands

Our demands on water are high and growing. We expect water for survival, for hygiene, to support our economy, and for recreation. But there is only so much water, especially in the Prairies. To manage our demand on water, we need to develop comprehensive water efficiency planning. We can establish fee systems that foster conservation and efficiency. And we need to direct public resources toward managing our demand.

• Respond and adapt to climate change

Climate change will have a tremendous affect on our watersheds and water sources, and therefore, on our lives. We need to commit to trying to stop climate change. But we also need to build our resilience to the effects of climate change. We need to "mainstream" climate change into water policy.

• Strengthen shared governance over shared waters

Because water flows, we share our water with each other and with the provinces beside us. To improve how we share, we need to strengthen arrangements with neighbouring jurisdictions and across borders. We need to respect indigenous' people's rights to, and in, water. And we need to improve the scientific basis for planning and management.

Join the Debate!

These ideas are the themes of a discussion draft of the Prairie Citizens Water Directive. What are your thoughts on these expectations? What are your priorities? This fall, citizens from across the region will join together in a collective call for action! Come out and share as we embark in a regional dialogue that will connect the people of a region with a united message.

The forums will feature a proposal for a citizens' directive on water management. Participants in each of the forums will have the opportunity to discuss in depth the expectations, and will also consider strategies and actions to help bring about the necessary changes.

» Register for one of the public forums online!

» View public forum schedule and download the "Prairie Citizens Water Directive" Call for Action

» If you have questions, contact 780-439-1160 or prairiechapter@sierraclub.ca

In Alberta, attend a Public Forum in person

September 25^th - Lethbridge, AB
University of Lethbridge
Students Union Building, Ballroom
6:30-9:00pm

October 2^nd - Edmonton, AB
University of Alberta
Lister Conference Centre, Prairie Room
6:30-9:00pm

October 3^rd - Red Deer, AB
Kerrywood Nature Centre
6:30-9:00pm

October 4^th - Calgary, AB
Kahanoff Centre, Room #201
1:00-4:00pm

Source

McClenaghan, T., & Finnigan, D. 2004. Protecting Ontario's Water Now and Forever: A Statement of Expectations for Watershed-Based Source Protection from Ontario Non Governmental Organizations: Canadian Environmental Law Association & Environmental Defence.