The ELC held the first webinar in this series, it brought the Centre’s review and analysis in relation to questions that were posed at our spring webinar, Water Availability Webinar: Proposed Water Act Amendments, and provided an opportunity to answer some of the questions that came from the audience.
The webinar unpacks recent amendments to the Water Act that directly impact how water availability is determined for new licensing. Attendees will gain critical insights into the legislative move that transitions the determination of this vital resource from a transparent, publicly scrutinized Regulation to less visible Ministerial Orders or internal Government Policy. It raises crucial questions about the balance between administrative flexibility, public trust, and the long-term ecological protection of strained watersheds.
Resource management accountability hinges on transparency, and the discussion highlights significant challenges in public access to the data underpinning major policy decisions. The ELC critically examines the inconsistent reporting, severe data gaps for vulnerable local watersheds and groundwater systems, and the increased reliance on non-public data that characterizes the new system. Furthermore, the webinar explores necessary future directions, including the need for mandatory enforcement mechanisms, stronger statutory penalties for misuse, and integrated regulatory approaches to ensure the sustainability of interconnected surface and groundwater reserves amidst a changing climate.
Rewatch the full webinar and download the slides with the link below.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Your support is vital for stronger environmental legislation. As Alberta’s leading environmental charity, the Environmental Law Centre has served our community for over 40 years, providing objective guidance on crucial legislative changes. Your contribution helps protect our environment for future generations.
Please support our work: Share, engage and donate to the ELC