CONSULTATIONS ON WATER MONITORING IN CANADA: THE CWRA EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The Canadian Water Resources Association managed the facilitation and reporting responsibilities of a national series of workshops on the future of water monitoring in Canada. This consultation process was initiated by a request from Environment Canada whose managers, in sensing the potential magnitude of impending budget reductions, sought to establish a broad dialogue on future program directions with their clients and partners. The results of the eight regional workshops, reported herein, indicate strong support in all sectors for the monitoring programs. In addition there was an awareness that substantial changes are necessary, a willingness to become engaged in new solutions, and a series of constructive recommendations for improvement. Suggestions included a new approach to national standards, broader involvement of stakeholders, new resourcing strategies and client-pay policies. These workshop results have been submitted to the federal and provincial ministers of environment and natural resources. The impartial role that the CWRA played in these consultations was important and is consistent with the mandate, policies, and role that the Association seeks to play in the arena of water resources management in Canada.