Authors: Dr. Roger Gibbins and Larissa Sommerfeld
With increasing food and energy prices, a growing world population and the potential effects of climate change, water—and how it is managed—is more important than ever. To determine priorities for our water future, the Canada West Foundation held four Honourable James A. Richardson Discovery Roundtables during spring 2011 in Victoria, Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Winnipeg.
In the synthesis report, Wave of the Future: Water Policy in Western Canada, viewpoints from over 50 individuals across the West with a background in water management, governance or the study of water are highlighted. As a result of these discussions, it was obvious that water experts have similar priorities, which include:
Planning for the unknown
Improving the weak interface between research and policy
Advancing governance
Placing value on aquatic natural capital
Enhancing management
Changing societal attitudes and increasing public awareness
Water has the potential to be a challenging issue for western Canada in the coming years, yet the participants at the spring 2011 James A. Richardson Discovery Roundtables shared a general sense of optimism. Although there are challenges that lie ahead with this resource and how we can best manage it, decision-makers should recognize that addressing any one of the priorities highlighted will be a step in the right direction.