We know that the government has committed to protecting 25% by 2025 and 30% by 2030. We're behind on that, and we need to do more on that.
I think a Canada water agency is a key tool that we should be using to do that. One main thing we think this agency should have is some money to dole out for projects, and getting provincial partners, indigenous partners, municipalities, communities and everybody involved in the work of protecting fresh water.
We have 20%—one-fifth—of the world's supply of surface fresh water in Canada, and we're not doing enough to protect it. The experience in the States with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence restoration initiative was that President Trump did want to remove this funding program, but it was so popular with local communities, governors and citizenry that he couldn't do so. It gave a way for people to really get involved in the work of protecting fresh water.
I think a Canada water agency could do that, but they would need to have the resources to get those provincial, municipal, indigenous partners and everybody on board, and get into the work of actually protecting water.