Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My name is Ray Orb, and I'm president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, known as SARM.
I was born and raised and live in the small farming community of Cupar, northeast of Regina, Saskatchewan, with a population of approximately 625.
I'd like to thank the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development for the opportunity to share our association's thoughts as it studies fresh water in Canada and the role of the federal government.
SARM has been the voice of rural Saskatchewan and has served the membership of Saskatchewan's rural and municipal governments for over 100 years. Today I express the viewpoints of those we represent, delving into rural perspectives on fresh water in Canada and examining how the role of the federal government might influence our livelihoods in rural Saskatchewan.
Agriculture is the backbone of Saskatchewan's rural economy, which relies heavily on a consistent and reliable supply of fresh water, especially for groundwater and for irrigation. Crops and livestock require sufficient water to thrive, ensuring food security for not only our country but also our customers abroad. We need fresh water to sustain the livelihoods of countless families not just in Saskatchewan but across Canada.
By working collectively, the federal government will better understand the dynamics and potential harmful impacts on watershed and groundwater recharge, along with ensuring agricultural access and resiliency to sustainable high-quality water. It will also be essential for the agency to leverage other federal government entities, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Environment and Climate Change Canada, to consider all the potential impacts on a larger scale.
SARM voiced concerns some time ago about creating a Canada water agency. We are concerned that we will have duplication since we already have a Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and a strong entity in the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment.
In essence, water and water quality are a multi-jurisdictional issue and they must be dealt with in that manner.
Although we are not in favour of this agency, we do anticipate that the agency will need transparency with the provinces. To achieve strong working relationships with the provinces, we recommend sharing data and knowledge; engaging with agencies, councils and organizations in each province on proposed changes to fresh water to consider impacts to all sectors of each province; leveraging the knowledge of local and regional networks involved in water management in each province; further strengthening their sources; ensuring that there is a sense of respect for jurisdiction and constitutional authority in each province; and continuing to dialogue with SARM on issues that affect farmers, ranchers and rural municipalities.
Saskatchewan is an active participant in water management. An example of our actions can be seen in the Lake Diefenbaker irrigation expansion project. Saskatchewan provides funding through associations and programs, such as the Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association and the farm and ranch water infrastructure program to ensure that farmers and producers can work together to provide fresh water access across Saskatchewan. A primary focus of the agency should be on funding water management projects across Canada to ensure that provinces can work efficiently and effectively to preserve freshwater resources. With additional funding stability and support, beyond the Province of Saskatchewan borrowing money from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, the federal government could help provinces dramatically in making a bigger impact on freshwater resources.
The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency is working toward developing the Saskatchewan agricultural water stewardship policy, which will aim to preserve, restore and protect the wetlands in Saskatchewan. On a larger scale, the agency will need to develop a sustainable and resilient freshwater management strategy that will work with all provinces. This strategy will be essential to help provinces adapt to these federal changes and mitigate potential risks. It is crucial that the federal government, provinces and territories work together to ensure and build a sustainable future for generations to come.
In closing, on behalf of our member rural municipalities and rural Saskatchewan, we thank the standing committee for the opportunity for us to lend our voice to this important conversation.
We look forward to continued dialogue to work together to further the best interests of all Canadians.
Thank you.