9. Advising Governments on Water Issues
At Swim Drink Fish, we bring our expertise in storytelling, water quality monitoring, data sharing platforms, and community empowerment to another all-encompassing and critical focus: advising municipal, Indigenous, provincial, and federal governments to advocate for cleaner, more accessible water.
There is no denying that governments play an indispensable role in environmental protection. From drafting legislation to implementing policies and enforcing regulations, their collective actions largely determine the health of our environment. Climate change and the “imminent risk” of a global water crisis underscore the urgent need for strong and effective governmental collaboration and accountability. Without government protection, large corporations will be able to maximize profits at the expense of societies that are socially and environmentally vulnerable. To aid with these efforts, the Federal Government of Canada launched the Canada Water Agency earlier this year. The agency is tasked with keeping Canadian water “safe, clean and well-managed for future generations.”
Our Role in Advising Governments
Swim Drink Fish steps in to provide our expertise on water advocacy and protection to governments. We work closely with governments at all levels to ensure water quality is a priority. Whether it's consulting on specific legislation, providing scientific data and monitoring results, or facilitating stakeholder engagement, our aim is to empower decision-makers with the tools and insights they need to protect our waters.
Here are a few highlights of our work:
Transnational Collaboration: As champions of swimmable, drinkable, and fishable water, we emphasize the importance of international agreements like the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, the GLWQA is a testament to what can be achieved through cooperation between nations. We continue to advocate for increased investment in this agreement, pushing for more equitable funding between Canadian, US, and Indigenous parties and stronger public engagement efforts. This August, Swim Drink Fish and Canadian Geographic had the privilege of showing the Biinaagami Giant Floor Map to a collection of politicians, water stewards and members of the public at the “Healing Our Waters” gathering in Chicago, hosted by the City of Chicago and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.
Biinaagami Floor Map at “Healing Our Waters” gathering in Chicago, August 2024
Provincial and Municipal Leadership: In Kingston, we played a key role in the development of the Gord Edgar Pier and the eventual CSO monitoring efforts that have led to swimmable waters. On the other side of the nation, in British Columbia and Vancouver, our collaboration with local governments has helped shape policies that prioritize water quality and access through the longstanding efforts of the Fraser Riverkeeper initiative. We provide actionable recommendations based on our monitoring and research, ensuring communities have clean water for recreation and sustenance. In Toronto, Canada’s largest City and a major Lake Ontario polluter, we also challenge governments to do better and protect critical resources. Recently, we’ve been advocating for real-time combined sewage monitoring from the City of Toronto.
Indigenous Partnerships: Indigenous knowledge systems and strategies are integral to understanding and managing water resources sustainably. Through Biinaagami, our partnership with the Indigenous Shared Circle and Canadian Geographic, we work with Indigenous governments and organizations to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into modern water governance and monitoring frameworks, promoting a holistic approach to environmental stewardship.
Our Team presenting the Biinaagami floor map in Ottawa, September 2024
A Call to Action
Now, more than ever, we need governments to act decisively and help save our natural capital. Canada, as a natural resource powerhouse, has the responsibility and opportunity to lead by example. Clean, accessible water should not be a privilege but a fundamental right in one of the world’s wealthiest countries. Swim Drink Fish remains committed to holding governments accountable while also providing them with the necessary resources and knowledge to do the right thing and protect and enhance our waterways.
Together, through collaboration and investment, we can ensure that every Canadian has access to swimmable, drinkable, and fishable waters. The future of our communities, ecosystems, and planet depends on it.
