The Government of Canada is taking action to address the impact of climate change on water and land resources. It is also taking action to help position Saskatchewan and the Prairies as global leaders in agri-food production and processing.
A report, Prairie Prosperity: A Vision for the Management of Water across Saskatchewan and the Prairies, on this work has been released by the Government of Canada.
“The Government of Canada is supporting growth and prosperity as we help to ensure a sustainable supply of water available to cities and towns, Indigenous communities, farms, and industry across the Prairies,” said Mélanie Joly, member of parliament for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, minister of economic development and official languages, and minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.
“Prairie Prosperity: A Vision for the Management of Water across Saskatchewan and the Prairies is a first step, providing a starting point for discussions and activities to advance transformative infrastructure and work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders,” added Joly.
In 2019, the Government of Canada invested up to $1 million to work with partners and stakeholders to develop a new approach to sustainably manage water and land on the Prairies.
Since March 2019, Western Economic Diversification Canada has been examining sustainable water management in the context of climate volatility and identifying opportunities to enhance food security while improving the economic outlook for communities on the Prairies.
The report examines this work and recommends developing the infrastructure needed to expand irrigation in central Saskatchewan. This includes the Westside Irrigation Project and Upper Qu’Appelle Canal, projects which the Province of Saskatchewan recently committed to developing.
“Western Economic Diversification Canada’s work has culminated in the development of a recommendation that could lead to transformative change, enhance resilience, and support prosperity for generations to come,” said Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary to the minister of economic development and official languages.
“This is a critical opportunity for Saskatchewan and the Prairies to secure their place as global leaders in agri-food production and water management, while also leaving future generations with a more sustainable economy and good jobs,” added Duguid.
