As our neighbour to the south muses about tearing up Great Lakes agreements, gutting environmental protections and tapping shared waters, the future of freshwater in Canada is more precarious than ever.

Twenty per cent of the world’s freshwater is found in Canada, but less than half of it is actually renewable.

Freshwater is priceless. Defending freshwater and ensuring it is healthy, sustainable, and resilient for future generations must be a top priority. Sign-on to urge the next federal government to protect and restore freshwater, and the thriving ecosystems and healthy communities it nurtures.​

That involves honouring existing domestic and international commitments. Including:

• The International Boundary Waters Treaty Act which prohibits bulk water removals from boundary and transboundary waters. 
• The Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) which is careful not to oblige either Canada or the U.S. to “exploit its water for commercial use” and if kept strong when it’s renegotiated, can help prevent water privatization and bulk exports in future. 
• The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement which commits Canada and the U.S. to restoring and enhancing water quality in the Great Lakes. 
• Continued investment in the Great Lakes, especially as the U.S. administration dismantles agencies designed to protect them.
• Respecting Indigenous water rights, including inherent, Aboriginal, treaty and legislative rights.

Our freshwater security is non-negotiable. The next federal government must stand firm, uphold and strengthen these and other policies that protect and restore freshwater.

Your message will be sent to the Leader of the Liberal Party, The Right Hon. Mark Carney; Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, Hon. Pierre Poilievre; Leader of the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh; Leader of the Bloc Québécois, Yves-François Blanchet; and Co-Leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May.