ECCC

Canada Water Agency: A new focal point for freshwater protection

Canada Water Agency: A new focal point for freshwater protection

Canada is a water-rich nation responsible for 20 per cent of the global resource. This seemingly limitless bounty is easy to take for granted but, as the very basis of life, freshwater cannot be left behind as we work our way through the challenges of a changing world. In recognition of the need for broader coordination, the Canada Water Agency (CWA) was launched in 2023 as part of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Based in Winnipeg, Man., the agency will become an independent entity in the coming months with a mandate to modernize and integrate freshwater management in Canada.

Cleaning up after Montreal's storm: floods, fallen branches and power outages

Cleaning up after Montreal's storm: floods, fallen branches and power outages

The city says it wants to create more green spaces that can act as sponges, so water gets absorbed into the ground rather than drained into sewers during rain deluges. Firefighters were deployed to help pump water out of buildings. Sabourin said the city typically gets 90 millimetres of rain in July — meaning Montreal received almost as much rain it usually sees in July in the span of two hours. The city's sewers simply don't have the capacity to hold that much water, he said, explaining the floods. The area south of the downtown core was most affected.

Government of Canada moves forward on federal pesticide commitments

Government of Canada moves forward on federal pesticide commitments

Today, Health Canada, along with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), announced the next steps toward a sustainable approach to pesticides management in Canada. Establishing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) is one component of Health Canada’s rigorous pesticide risk assessment process. Health Canada scientists consider information from all available scientific studies and conduct a dietary risk assessment before they set MRLs.

Hot and dry summer could affect Calgary's water levels

Hot and dry summer could affect Calgary's water levels

The beginning of June in Calgary has been hot and dry, and that could have an affect on the city’s water supply through summer. Environment Canada and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says Calgary has come into the summer season with dryer than normal conditions — spring 2023 ended as the fifth driest spring on record.

Canada opens formal investigation into Imperial's oilsands tailings leak in northern Alberta

Canada opens formal investigation into Imperial's oilsands tailings leak in northern Alberta

Federal environmental authorities have launched a formal investigation into a tailings leak at Imperial Oil's Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced Thursday it is investigating a suspected contravention of the Fisheries Act, which prohibits the "deposit of a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish," or any place where such substances could enter fish-bearing water.

Looks like Sault got a hub snub from Canada Water Agency

Looks like Sault got a hub snub from Canada Water Agency

It’s been nearly one week since local officials learned the federal government chose Winnipeg over Sault Ste. Marie as the host city for the Canada Water Agency (CWA) headquarters. Disappointed by the decision, members of the CWA task force in town remained hopeful the Sault could still have some involvement with the federal agency by hosting a regional hub.

Predicting and alerting for coastal flooding

Predicting and alerting for coastal flooding

In response to increasing coastal flooding risks, the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC), a branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), recently launched a five-year initiative entitled the Predicting and Alerting for Coastal Flooding (PACF) project. To help advance this work, ECCC is seeking Geographic Information System (GIS) data from municipalities and regional districts that pertains to near-ocean infrastructure.

Contractor fined $2.8 million for spills that killed hundreds of fish in Coquitlam, Surrey creeks

Contractor fined $2.8 million for spills that killed hundreds of fish in Coquitlam, Surrey creeks

A construction contractor has been fined $2.8 million for releasing contaminated water into salmon-bearing creeks in Coquitlam and Surrey in 2017. Michels Canada Co., a construction contractor based out of Nisku, Alta., was ordered to pay the sum on Dec. 6, after pleading guilty to two charges under the Fisheries Act. “These creeks are inhabited by salmonids year-round, and the presence of juvenile salmonids in these creeks during the summertime low flow period and hot weather emphasizes the importance of this habitat,” stated Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) on Dec. 8.

Russell Wangersky: Water testing? Provinces asked feds to do it

Russell Wangersky: Water testing? Provinces asked feds to do it

It’s about the reaction to a photograph taken of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) inspectors taking water samples near Pense — the workers said they thought they were working on public land next to the highway, while a landowner claimed the work was being done on private land. It should have stopped right there — as a misunderstanding about whether the land was public or private, with efforts to do better in the future. Instead, it became the latest federal/provincial football. Some people have got in touch with me after I wrote about this issue last week to point out that I haven’t lived here long enough to understand the way Saskatchewan residents feel about private land.

Strong winds, high water levels lead to flooding along western shores of Lake Winnipeg

Strong winds, high water levels lead to flooding along western shores of Lake Winnipeg

People living in and around Gimli, Man. are cleaning up after high lake levels and heavy winds caused flooding along the western shores of Lake Winnipeg. The situation sent waves crashing onto lakefront properties and swamped some popular destinations over the weekend, prompting calls for a better warning system to respond to similar situations in the future.

Lakes Huron/Michigan could see 3.5 foot drop below record low levels by 2030: study

Lakes Huron/Michigan could see 3.5 foot drop below record low levels by 2030: study

A study on water levels projects an unprecedented drop of water levels on Lakes Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay to 1.1 metres (3.5 feet) below the record low by 2030. By 2040, levels may rise to 0.3 metres (one foot) higher than the 1986 record high. The study by W.F. Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers Ltd. was commissioned by the Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation (GBGLF) and was shared virtually by GBGLF on May 16/17. The Baird conclusions are essentially the same as those found in a recently completed five-year study by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), presented during a week-long Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands webinar series from April 4 to 8.

Snowing in Montreal, flooding in Quebec City as winter weather continues

Snowing in Montreal, flooding in Quebec City as winter weather continues

Montrealers can expect around 5 centimetres of snow today and a storm surge warning is in effect for Quebec City. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said Fisheries and Oceans Canada issued a coastal flood warning in the Quebec region Sunday with higher than normal water levels expected near the coast in the afternoon and evening.

Canadian Ice Service tracking icebergs in western Arctic for 1st time

Canadian Ice Service tracking icebergs in western Arctic for 1st time

The Canadian Ice Service is tracking icebergs to monitor and predict drifting patterns in the western Arctic for the first time, according to one of its ice analysts. Last week, the organization — a branch of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) — dropped beacons from a Hercules aircraft onto icebergs in the Beaufort Sea. Adrienne White, an ice analyst with the Canadian Ice Service, said that while it's common practice to track icebergs in the eastern Arctic, they have never before deployed sensors in this area.

Have Your Say: Environment and Climate Change Canada Public Sessions - Managing Algae Blooms on Lake of the Woods

Have Your Say: Environment and Climate Change Canada Public Sessions - Managing Algae Blooms on Lake of the Woods

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has completed four years of water quality research on Lake of the Woods and now wants to hear from you regarding their proposed ecosystem objectives and phosphorus reduction options to help manage algal blooms. To take part in this virtual webinar, please register at www.lowwsf.com/eccc-consultation

Environment Canada resuming water monitoring in Mackenzie River Basin, still no consultation with Northern leaders

Environment Canada resuming water monitoring in Mackenzie River Basin, still no consultation with Northern leaders

Dene National Chief Norman Yakeleya said that the issue of water safety, especially flowing from the oil sands, has been a concern for as long as he has been Chief. In a tele-press conference Yakeleya told media that he is “befuddled as to why an essential service, such as monitoring the quality of the water coming from the oil sands production fields, was suspended.” He said that water is essential for drinking, for fish, for the animals, and “for the sake of all people in the Northwest Territories.”