Evidence of meeting #95 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was pfas.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Professor, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, As an Individual
There is a number, but I can't recall it off the top of my head. It's somewhere higher than 30%, but I don't think it's 100%. It's somewhere closer to 45% or 50% getting their drinking water supplied directly from groundwater.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Can you refer to...? I don't want to get into semantics here, but you said that this is what you think. Are you aware of any studies that particularly talk about rural Canada and who is reliant on groundwater for drinking? If you are aware of any of those studies and have them, could you please supply them to the committee?
Professor, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, As an Individual
I'm not aware of any that I can cite off the top of my head, but I will check with colleagues and get back to you.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
That would go for the other witnesses, as well. If you're aware of any studies for rural Canada, it would be appreciated.
Groundwater monitoring is the other thing, Professor Parker. Is there a standard set across Canada for groundwater monitoring as far as the collection of data is concerned? I know that many years ago, when I was on different committees for water and stuff like that, this was the biggest obstacle—trying to get the data in all the same format so we could go from province to province or watershed to watershed. Is there now a standard set across Canada?
Professor, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, As an Individual
There's no modern standard. In terms of water quality, I think we mostly monitor total coliforms and indicator-type parameters, in terms of groundwater quality or private water supplies. There are standards that municipalities use to verify the quality, but not necessarily for emerging contaminants or contaminated site-type contaminants.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
That is probably something very helpful to study right across Canada. That's perhaps a role the federal government could play.
Professor, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, As an Individual
Exactly.
Conservative
Dan Mazier Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB
Mr. Wei, you were saying there were no studies done for aquifers and the usage of them.
I know that, in Manitoba.... I was on a board about 20 years ago. I think it was for the Assiniboine aquifer. It's huge. It's about the size of P.E.I. and we irrigate off it. There have been studies. I think the kicker of that whole thing was that it was provincially run. I would suggest that this is where we get into what is provincial jurisdiction versus federal jurisdiction. I think, if you're going to study an aquifer that's all on B.C. territory, it's probably B.C. jurisdiction.
If you have input into how the water agency could help out with that, it would be appreciated, as well. You can submit those comments.
Professional Engineer, As an Individual
Do you want me to submit them or speak on them?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Submit them in writing, please, if you have them.
Ms. Chatel, you have the floor.
Liberal
Sophie Chatel Liberal Pontiac, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I know I have very little time, but I would like to get more details from all the witnesses.
At the committee, we have been studying the Canada Water Agency and its future mandate at some length. What are your recommendations for this new agency? Do you have a wish list to present to us?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Briefly, can you give us your wish list for the Canada water agency, in 20 seconds or so?
We'll start with Dr. Parker, perhaps.
Professor, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, As an Individual
I think there needs to be public funding to support a much more modern, technology-based monitoring infrastructure for the entire freshwater cycle. What we need to think about is a whole new relationship with water. Our relationship with fresh water and our old habits are creating more problems, both for quantity and quality, in the distribution of water, so it's valuable for us to rethink how our communities' reliance on water is being used and affected by its use.
Executive Director, Irrigation Saskatchewan
I think one of the most important parts is recognizing the value of the regional perspective or regional component of this. When it comes to adaptation and adoption of changing needs around water security, I really feel that we need to have the water users involved in solution building, right at the ground floor.
Professional Engineer, As an Individual
The first thing is to talk to the provinces and territories about what their needs are. That would be really appreciated. Align your policies within your federal programs to provincial priorities. I think we need funding and collaboration to strengthen our monitoring and scientific capabilities. It doesn't mean the Canada water agency has to do them, but it can help support the provinces and territories in doing them.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Francis Scarpaleggia
Thank you to the panellists and to the members for their excellent questions.
This wraps up our segment on groundwater. It's been very interesting. Your input will be very valuable for the final committee report.
Thank you, and have a wonderful rest of the day.