Canada Water Agency signs agreement to advance water security

The Canada Water Agency and representatives from the Canada Water Security Funders Group, which collectively steward over $2.4 billion in assets, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration on shared priorities related to water security in Canada.

The MOU recognizes the catalytic role that philanthropy can play in advancing freshwater stewardship and security, including by protecting and restoring freshwater ecosystems, supporting Indigenous-led stewardship, fostering innovation and data systems, and upholding collaborative watershed management. It reflects a shared commitment to working with Indigenous Peoples, diverse sectors, and jurisdictions to address the increasingly complex freshwater challenges facing Canadians.

“Water is life, and it is one Canada’s greatest natural advantages. How we work together to protect and sustainably use fresh water is one of our greatest responsibilities,” said Mark Fisher, President, Canada Water Agency. “This partnership with the new Canada Water Security Funders Group, which brings together a number of leading funders from coast-to-coast-to-coast, presents an opportunity to share knowledge and effective stewardship solutions and to discuss collaborative approaches to financing initiatives that respond to one of the most pressing challenges of our time - ensuring the long-term health and resilience of freshwater ecosystems in Canada, which is necessary for building a strong, thriving, and prosperous Canada for future generations.”

The MOU also establishes a framework for collaboration that includes:

• knowledge exchanges on key issues such as water innovation, freshwater data, place-based and interdisciplinary water security issues and opportunities;
• communications and water literacy including the potential of education and outreach initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of water;
• exploring mutual priorities and combined investment opportunities including consideration of co-investment mechanisms to amplify impact; and
• broader private/public collaboration to support watershed governance, planning and management.

“Canadian philanthropy is coming together to meet the unique challenges and threats to our water security in Canada. Working together with the Canada Water Agency, we look forward to catalyzing change at scale and increasing our collective impact throughout Canada. At a time when freshwater is becoming one of our most defining strategic resources, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Canada remains water-secure, resilient and prosperous for generations to come,” said Marie-Paule Jeansonne, Executive Director of the de Gaspe Beaubien Foundation and co-chair of the Canada Water Security Funders Group.