As well, climate change has the potential to significantly alter both the supply and distribution of freshwater in Canada, and therefore a precautionary approach is important in achieving a common solution. Canada will continue to work through international institutions, such as the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and the United Nations Environment Program, to promote sustainable use of freshwater. The federal government will seek opportunities to share Canadian expertise in water technology and services, particularly with countries facing water challenges. 30 - Backgrounders are attached. Canada's watersheds contain about 9 percent of the world's renewable water resources and 20 percent of the world's total freshwater resources, including waters captured in glaciers and the polar icecaps.
Water is vital to ecosystems, human health, agriculture and industry.
Bulk water removals may have cumulative effects on watersheds. Climate change implications have heightened concerns about water removals. The federal approach to dealing with bulk water removals is an important part of the broader Federal Freshwater Strategy now being developed in consultation with all provinces and territories. The Freshwater Strategy will address the full range of water issues in Canada. Such removals have the potential, directly or cumulatively, to harm the health of a watershed.