Canada needs a water quarterback to bring together provinces and territories, communities, First Nations to make sure we are allocating our water sensibly and so we can deal with Americans with a united voice.
That from John Pomeroy, who is the director of the USask-led Global Water Futures program, and Canada Research Chair in Water Resources and Climate Change at the university.
He is in favour of a new Canada Water Agency, which was announced in the federal Throne Speech this past fall.
Pomeroy explains that it will bring all water information in one place, because right now groundwater is in one department, water quantity, stream flow and lake levels is taken care of elsewhere and glaciers in another department so it’s challenging to get a picture of our water inventory, which then impedes the country’s ability to make good decisions.
One thing Pomeroy would like to see is forecasting models for floods and droughts which would inform provinces and territories as they manage water resources.
The professor emphasizes that First Nations need to be at the table with the knowledge they have developed over generations to help inform on how to sustain and manage our water.

Pomeroy is not part of what will be the new Canada Water Agency, but as a scientist, he has consulted with the organizers.
Right now, the agency is in the consultation phase.