Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
The Liberal government tabled much-anticipated legislation Monday that aims to improve water quality in First Nations communities, improve collaboration on water protection and codify a new First Nations-led commission. The long-promised bill, which Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu is touting as the result of immense collaboration and knowledge-sharing, would apply a new framework for source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nations land.
“I have been privileged enough to find a path of work in environmental and water stewardship. This work has been deeply rewarding despite the overwhelming sense of urgency to address the climate and the biodiversity crises we have put ourselves in.” The annual BC Achievement Community Awards recognize extraordinary British Columbians who build better, stronger and more resilient communities. The Mitchell Award of Distinction recognizes one individual in particular who demonstrates “an unwavering commitment to elevating people around them”. Hartwig’s lifelong work in environmental conservation, and her selfless leadership style that empowers others to lead and excel, was the rationale provided by the BC Achievement Foundation for singling out Hartwig as this year’s Mitchell Award designate.
The Manitoba government is advancing protection and support for water resources through a number of initiatives including enhancing the Lake Friendly Initiative and expanding watershed districts, Environment and Climate Minister Kevin Klein announced today to kick off the week leading up to Earth Day on April 22. “Water is a precious resource and we all need to work together to ensure we make every drop count,” said Klein. “We are making investments in initiatives that enhance protections for Lake Winnipeg and our watersheds, helping ensure the sustainable management of our valuable water resources, now and for future generations.”
In the far northwest of Manitoba, the Seal River flows 260 kilometres through the thick boreal forest into Hudson Bay. It's the only major river in northern Manitoba without any dams. No roads lead to the river, and there's only one human settlement in the river's watershed. That community, the Sayisi Dene, is leading an initiative along with neighbouring Dene, Cree and Inuit communities to protect the 50,000 square kilometres of the watershed. That's an area of untouched wilderness roughly the size of Nova Scotia, which would be protected from industrial development if the community's proposal is accepted.
Jamie Lee Parenteau knows that water is where life originates. She knows that it must be protected in every way possible from pollution or waste. The Ojibway woman’s ancestors were able to live off the water as a resource, and to sustain all living things in their care. Yet in some First Nation communities today, water has become a curse. “In our culture, water is so much more. It’s sacred,” says Parenteau, who is from the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation. “Our people could just go to the lake for everything. That was before all these things like the (pulp) mills and mercury poisoning. Our people drink that water and got poisoned by it.” The young mother is a water protector — and she now has a licence that says so.
Canadians could be encouraged by the existence of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). When it was enacted in 1999, the legislation was forward-thinking and ambitious. It lay the groundwork for a sustainable society, supported by enforceable regulations to implement some lofty ideals. CEPA makes it possible to protect biodiversity, the quality of drinking water, and human health from hazardous chemicals. It also encourages the sustainable practices of a “circular economy.”
I was always a bit of an advocate for the environment. In first grade, I dressed up as “Captain Cleanwater” and gave a talk to my whole elementary school about water conservation and protection. My parents expected my sisters and I would choose a way to make the world better, and they supported us. My mother taught us the importance of taking care of our things and each other and making sure we could pay it forward. I feel lucky that I learned as a kid that my actions have an impact.
President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday announced its intent to protect more U.S. waterways through environmental regulations, reversing a Trump-era rollback that had been urged by farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army reviewed ex-President Donald Trump's Navigable Waters Protection Rule and determined that it "significantly" reduced clean water protections - a major concern as arid states in the west face droughts.
B.C.'s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is announcing new rules for farmers, intended to protect water sources and "provide more clarity for the agricultural sector." According to the ministry, the rules will protect groundwater with proper manure and nutrient storage, ban direct discharges, allow increased monitoring in high-risk areas, and require record keeping.
