 n November 1994, Environment Canada (Assistant Deputy Ministers G.A. McBean and R.A. Slater) approached the Canadian Global Change Program (CGCP) and the Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) with a request to identify the major water issues facing Canada and Canadians over the coming decades. In addition to identifying the issues, a report was requested that would indicate the ecological, economic, and social significance of the issues and the actions and measures needed to deal with them effectively. Some indication was requested regarding which of the issues required involvement at the federal level of government, and the suggested nature of that involvement. The report was to reflect a broad spectrum of views across regions, disciplines, and interests.
To undertake this task, the CGCP and CWRA first convened a national workshop in Ottawa, 8-9 February, 1995. On the basis of the output of the workshop, James Bruce (Chair, Canadian Climate Program Board and Board Member, CGCP) and Bruce Mitchell (University of Waterloo) were designated to prepare a first draft report. This report (Water Issues for Canada: Anticipating the 21st Century, 20 March 1995, 24 pp.), and the questions it raised, formed the basis for eight regional workshops to obtain views and perspectives from across Canada, organized in May and June 1995 by CWRA and CGCP.
The regional workshops were held in Fredericton (17 May), Halifax (25 May), Winnipeg (29 May), Regina (30 May), Mississauga (30 May), Edmonton (31 May), Vancouver (1 June), and Montreal (7 June). Between 40 to 70 participants attended each workshop. These workshops were intended to obtain a cross section of views regarding the role of the federal government related to water issues. While these workshops generally were very successful, the complexity of the issues and choices suggests that they should be viewed as an initial phase in an on-going consultation process to redefine the role of the federal government. Further consultation is particularly needed since the regional workshops did not obtain a representative perspective from municipal and First Nations individuals. Plans are under way in several of the regions to have follow-up meetings in the autumn.
Many of the CWRA provincial branches prepared reports following the regional workshops. Copies of these reports may be obtained by contacting the CWRA Membership Service Office, P.O. Box 1329, Cambridge, Ontario, N1R 7G6 (telephone: 519-622-4764; fax: 519-621-4844).
During July 1995, J. Bruce and B. Mitchell prepared this final report that incorporates views from the regional workshops. Throughout the project, a team from Environment Canada, consisting of Paul Allen, Terry Day, Chris Pharo, and Paul Pilon, compiled national and regional workshop notes, and provided input and information. Jeff Watson, Executive Director CGCP, and Jim Bauer, Executive Director CWRA, led the organization of the effort, and also provided knowledge, wisdom, and support.
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