Western Premiers are taking the first steps to a new strategy to conserve and manage Canada’s valuable fresh water supply.

“Decreasing glaciers and snowpack, flood threats and manageable water supplies do not stop at provincial and territorial borders,” said British Columbia Premier Gord Campbell, chair of the 2010 Western Premiers’ Conference held in Vancouver.

“This work will help us make better decisions and develop comprehensive, long-term water management plans to secure our fresh water supply for future generations.”

Canada currently accounts for approximately seven to nine per cent of the world’s renewable fresh water supply. This supply faces increasing threat due to climate change and water consumption habits of industry, agriculture, citizens and communities.

• Canada is ranked 29th out of 30 OECD countries for per capita water consumption
• Between 1985 and 2005, B.C. and Alberta glaciers show a 11.3 per cent decrease in area.

Western Premiers also agreed to promote action on water quality and water efficiency to lower water consumption. They supported establishing a national public awareness campaign through product labelling that helps Canadians choose low water use appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.

Premiers encouraged the federal government to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the United State to implement the WaterSense water efficiency labelling program in Canada.

The Western Water Stewardship Council, created by Premiers in 2008, will be tasked with:

1. Identifying existing water and climate science information activities, including how accessible this information is and how it can support decision making.
2. Identifying agencies and others currently engaged in these activities, and how their priorities can align with policy and decision making needs.
3. Establishing, as appropriate, improved mechanisms to better link these agencies and others, their activities and the policy and decision makers.

The western jurisdictions will also work with the public and private sectors to make the next World Day, set for March 22, 2011, a national event to promote water conservation.

Premiers agreed to a Water Charter to underscore the need for immediate action on water priorities. Western Premiers will ask all provinces to join the Charter at the upcoming Council of the Federation meeting.

June, 2010