Question Period Note: Canada Water Agency and the Freshwater Action Plan

Established as a standalone entity in October 2024, the Canada Water Agency works in collaboration with partners and stakeholders to keep Canada’s freshwater safe, clean, and secure. The Freshwater Action Plan (FWAP) is a signature federal program and a major funding initiative, primarily led by the Canada Water Agency, which manages, restores and protects fresh water in Canada.

• Freshwater is an irreplaceable natural resource that is fundamental to our economy, human health and well-being, and the environment. It sustains life!
• The Canada Water Agency, formally launched in October 2024, is bringing all levels of government, Indigenous partners and key sectors together to ensure Canada’s major freshwater ecosystems are safe, clean and well-managed – today and for the future.
• To support the Agency’s mandate, the Government of Canada, is investing $650 million in the Freshwater Action Plan, a signature federal program to manage, protect and restore major freshwater ecosystems across the country, from the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River to the Lake Winnipeg and Fraser River basins.

Canada Water Agency
• The Canada Water Agency was created in October 2024. The Agency is headquartered in Winnipeg with regional offices across the country.

· The Agency delivers its mandate through five interconnected workstreams:
• Service to Canadians focuses on restoring and protecting Canada’s transboundary freshwater ecosystems.
• Policy Leadership is used to analyze freshwater issues and create forward-looking policies that strengthen water security and resilience.
• Cross-Country Collaboration brings together federal partners, Indigenous peoples, provinces and territories, and stakeholders to address freshwater challenges and opportunities through joint efforts.
• Water Literacy improves Canadians’ awareness of the value of fresh water through reporting and increased accessibility of federal water information.
• Foundational Data and Science underpins all workstreams. Freshwater science will inform decision-making and lead to the development of a National Freshwater Data Strategy.

· The Agency works closely with other federal departments and agencies because a whole-of-government approach is required to address freshwater challenges and harness opportunities.

· The Agency collaborates with the United States on transboundary waterbodies such as the Great Lakes.

Freshwater Action Plan (FWAP)

• The FWAP funds actions that protect and restore transboundary and nationally significant freshwater ecosystems through Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives (FEIs) in the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, St. Lawrence River, Fraser River, Wolastoq/Saint John River, Mackenzie River, and Lake Simcoe. The FEIs cover approximately 90% of Canada's population and 40% of Canada's surface area. The majority of FEI funding runs from 2023 to 2033.

• Complementary to the FWAP, the EcoAction program is a funding initiative that focuses on freshwater sustainability and innovation across Canada, by funding community-led actions, clean technology, and innovation.

• Call for Applications timelines:
• The Call for Applications for the 2025-26 fiscal year for Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives in the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg Basin, Wolastoq/Saint John River, Fraser River, Mackenzie River, and EcoAction Streams is closed. Applications are under review.
• The Call for Applications under the St. Lawrence Action Plan is managed with Quebec and the next call for applications is anticipated in fall 2025.
• The next Call for Applications for Lake Simcoe and Lake of the Woods is expected in fall 2026.

• Engagement with Indigenous peoples, provinces, territories, and stakeholders is a critical component of implementing the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan.

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