(https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2020/12/government-of-canada-launches-consultations-on-new-canada-water-agency.html)

By Joanie Olson

Water Woes

SARM voices concerns regarding proposed Canada Water Agency

Mar 25, 2021 | 1:50 PM

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) has several questions regarding a national Canada Water Agency and will not support their proposed national office location in the city of Regina.

The federal government has been soliciting input from Canadians about a new Canada Water Agency (CWA) since May 2020.

According to the Government of Canada website, the CWA’s focus is to further protect Canada’s freshwater resources.

“Water challenges such as droughts, floods, and deteriorating water quality are intensifying, due in large part to climate change. Canadians are seeing these costly impacts first-hand in their communities, across the country. That’s why the Government of Canada is establishing the Canada Water Agency to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean, and well managed. The Canada Water Agency will be established in close collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners.”

Public consultations were completed across Canada regarding the Canada Water Agency discussion paper in which SARM was involved. The deadline for feedback from the provinces closed March 1, 2021 with Indigenous engagement continuing throughout 2021.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

22h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

22h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

23h ago

In a press release, SARM shared their concerns regarding implications of the federal government creating a Canada Water Agency (CWA) and how that may affect the jurisdiction of the province of Saskatchewan and rural municipalities.

“For the first time in recent history we are seeing a new agency created by the federal government that doesn’t really have a clear mandate,” said Ray Orb, president of SARM.

SARM has several questions about the focus of the CWA and the overlap that federal regulations may have on provincial regulations and therefore opposes the creation of a CWA.

“We are concerned about the duplication especially for projects and things like that because the federal approval process can be cumbersome and more expensive for rural municipalities and we think we are doing just fine without another agency.” he said.

SARM has been informed that the CWA is considering establishing its offices in the city of Regina and while they recognize it is an economic benefit for the city and surrounding area, they oppose its creation. They will not support a bid for a head office of an agency they are not in favor of.

–

joan.olson@jpbg.ca

https://twitter.com/olson_joani