Dear Chris,

Did you know that Canada’s precious freshwater is at risk? U.S. President Trump has threatened to “tear up” Great Lakes agreements, which are intended to safeguard 80 percent of North America’s freshwater. His administration has already begun gutting environmental protections and critical water research funding.

Even more disturbing, President Trump views Canada’s vast waters as a “very large faucet” to be used to solve the United States’ growing water shortages. When a world leader is showing disregard for people and the planet, it is time for the people to speak up to protect all we hold dear.

Environmental Defence, along with Indigenous partners, successfully secured a commitment from Prime Minister Carney’s Liberal Party to prohibit water’s inclusion in trade deals, which is an important first step. But, we must continue to pressure the federal government to stand firm and defend the treaties and agreements that govern our shared waters, fight back against water privatization and commodification, and invest in freshwater science, monitoring and restoration.

We also need to increase public awareness and mobilize Canadians to voice their concern to ensure that the federal government understands it must defend, enforce and strengthen policies that protect and restore freshwater. Will you help us?

The U.S. administration is gutting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). When the U.S. weakens and removes environmental laws and programs and disregards science, we feel the impact here in Canada. President Trump’s agenda ignores the rights of Indigenous peoples, the health of all who live north of their border, and threatens future generations’ access to clean water. We can’t allow this to happen.

Freshwater in Canada was already under threat from climate change, invasive species, toxic algal blooms, excessive salt use and unwise development. Our ecosystems, communities and economy wouldn’t exist without safe, clean freshwater. We need to sound the alarm that the health and future of freshwater in Canada are more at risk than ever—our life depends on it.

Together, we must send a strong message that freshwater in Canada is non-negotiable. Now is the time to fight back. Will you help us?