The Future of Canadas Water A Book Review

The Future of Canadas Water

Nazmun NaherBioresource Engineering IWRMDec 1, 2016nazmun.naher@mail.mcgill.ca

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OutlineA Book Review:Water Resource Myth in CanadaPeoples perception about Canadas waterRooms for improvementRecommendations-Water Experts opinion

Water MythCanada contains 25% of the global supply of fresh water (Macleans, 1985)Canada is blessed with 1/5th of the worlds supply of fresh water and we are the envy of other countries (Pollution Probe, 1987)

The Globe and Mail featured thatCanada has lots and lots of water

Peoples perception42% Canadians are on favor of exporting fresh waterAlmost half of the people believe that the country had water to Spare

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Water Facts in CanadaAbout 60% of Canadas water flows north to arctic or subarctic regionsCanadas annual renewable volume of fresh water 2,850 cubic km (6.5% of the Worlds total)The water is largely unavailable for use in the southern part (where 85% Canadian live)Great Lakes have only 1% of their massive vol. renewed by precipitationCanadas water demand is increasing day by day e.g., increasing number of population, logging, deforestation, energy, hydro, industry

Rooms for ImprovementWater pricingDrinking water qualityNo comparable countrywide data compilation and reporting mechanism exists for GWLocal stream flow and hydrology data are less widely collected and less availablewater is divided between the federal and provincial governments, with some overlapping

Rooms for ImprovementNAFTA disputesNAFTA limits but does not entirely eliminate Canadas ability to ban or restrict water exportsEqual treatment of Mexican, American and Canadian (We (Canada) have it, you (USA) need it)Canadian Environmental laws must follow the constraints imposed by NAFTAForeign investors can challenge Canadian Government through NAFTA without proceeding first Canadian legal system

ConclusionCanada doesnt have enough water as per general perceptionneeds to conserve water resources by different instrumentsFinalize the water policy Sooner is betterSettle disputed with NAFTA to win fight against thirsty neighborComprehensive binding guideline on drinking water quality needs to be developed by federal governmentWater is a basic human right ensuring safe drinking water for FNs community is a matter of ethics

ReferencesBakker, K. (2007). Eau Canada: The future of Canadas water. Vancouver, Canada: UBC press, The university of British Columbiahttp://www.commondreams.org/views/2013/10/18/canada-eu-deal-threatens-canadas-waterhttp://www.vancouversun.com/Canadians+rank+among+world+water+hogs/11274891/story.htmlhttps://www.amazon.ca/Eau-Canada-Future-Canadas-Water/dp/0774813407http://all-about-water-filters.com/terrible-water-contamination-disasters-in-history/https://www.ec.gc.ca/eau-water/default.asp?lang=en&n=00EEE0E6-1http://globe-net.com/the-great-leaks-water-use-and-scarcity-in-canada/http://www.waterbc.ca/community/programs/long-term-financial-planning/water-pricing-plan/

AcknowledgementThank you Prof. Michael NgadiThank you TA, Cesar A Colmenarer-OrtegaThank you audience, primary and secondary reviewers

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