Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development

Comité permanent de l'environnement et du développement durable

For immediate release

Ottawa, March 29, 2023 -

The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development today announced that it will recommence its comprehensive study of the role of the federal government in protecting and managing Canada's freshwater resources in Canada.

The committee’s work on this topic began during the 43rd Parliament, in response to a motion of instruction adopted by the House of Commons. In the Spring of 2021, the committee invited stakeholders and the public to submit briefs related to the topic of freshwater and received 56 briefs. It also solicited and received briefs from federal departments. All these briefs will be included in the committee’s study.

In considering responsibilities for freshwater protection and management throughout Canada, the study may examine topics such as federal management of freshwater pollution, drinking water and wastewater, watershed management, legal frameworks for freshwater rights, climate change impacts on freshwater, groundwater, Canada’s water tech sector, Canada’s research and monitoring capacity, and freshwater and foreign policy. It will also consider the relationships among federal departments, as well as between the federal government and provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples and local governments.

Individuals and organizations wishing to submit briefs are invited to do so according to the committee's Brief Submission Guidelines and the Guide for submitting briefs to House of Commons Committees.

Briefs already submitted as part of this study will be considered as evidence; therefore, there is no need to resubmit briefs or to provide content previously submitted. If you or your organization would like to offer additional input, you may submit an addendum. The committee requests that, to the greatest extent possible, any addendum not repeat information previously submitted.

Questions about the study may be directed to the committee clerk by sending an e-mail to ENVI@parl.gc.ca.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development consists of 12 MPs. It is chaired by Francis Scarpaleggia (Lac-Saint-Louis). The Vice-Chairs are Damien C. Kurek (Battle River-Crowfoot) and Monique Pauzé (Repentigny). The other members are Laurel Collins (Victoria), Gérard Deltell (Louis-Saint-Laurent), Terry Duguid (Winnipeg South), the Honourable Mike Lake (Edmonton-Wetaskiwin), Lloyd Longfield (Guelph), Greg McLean (Calgary Centre), Leah Taylor Roy (Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill), Joanne Thompson (St. John's East) and Patrick Weiler (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country).