Water Allocation and Water Security: A Canadian Assessment

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Categories: Water Security | Canada | Publication

Publication Title	Water Allocation and Water Security: A Canadian Assessment
Publication Type	Report prepared for the Walter and Duncun Gordon Foundation
Author(s)	Water Policy and Governance Group", University of Guelph
Publication Date	October 2007
ISBN-ISSN-EAN
Publication URL	http://www.wpgg.ca
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1 Summary
2 Content
3 References
4 See also
5 External Resources
6 Attachments

Summary

Water security is a multi-dimensional concept that recognizes that sufficient good quality water is needed for social, economic and cultural uses while, at the same time, adequate water is required to sustain and enhance important ecosystem functions. Increasing demands for water and land from growing populations and economies, and fundamental changes in the hydrologic cycle due to climate change, require concerted action now in order to avoid a future water security crisis in Canada.

This study, carried out by the Guelph Water Management Group, proposes an evaluation framework for water allocation systems based on key water security concerns:

- ecosystem protection - economic production - equity and participation - integration - water conservation - climate variability and change - transboundary sensitivity

These seven interrelated water security concerns were selected following a review of relevant Canadian and international literature, and reflect previous research conducted in the Guelph Water Management Group.

Content

References

External Resources

Attachments

Final Report: Water Allocation and Water Security in Canada: Initiating a Policy Dialogue for the 21st Century

The project final report synthesizes main findings from the study, and poses key questions that should be addressed in a national dialogue about water security in Canada.

Technical Report 1: Characterization of Water Allocation Systems in Canada

Provides background information on water allocation systems in each of Canada’s provinces and territories. It identifies legislation, regulations and policies, and characterizes each system according to a common set of environmental,economic, and social attributes.

Technical Report 2: Water Security Assessment of Water Allocation Systems in Canada

Draws on the detailed characterization in Technical Report 1 to assess in an exploratory fashion the ways in which seven critical water security concerns are addressed within each jurisdiction.