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21 October 2026

Have your say on securing Canada's water future

Public feedback closes October 25, 2026

Water is life. Have your say.

Canada is developing its first National Water Security Strategy. The water we drink, the food we grow, our local economies, and fish and wildlife all depend on healthy watersheds.

CodeBlue BC has put together this easy guide to help you respond. Open the federal survey in another tab, copy the suggested answers, then change a few words to reflect what matters in your watershed.

Open the federal survey ↗ Jump to the questions ↓

Before you begin

We recommend using a computer with this guide open in one tab and the federal survey in another. Each written response is limited to 500 characters, including spaces. Some suggestions are near the limit, so replace a few words rather than simply adding text.

The survey starts with background information. Here's how to reach the first question:

  1. Page 1: Read the introduction and privacy statement, then click Next.
  2. Page 2: Read about why water is life-giving and irreplaceable for the environment, everyday life and the economy. Click Next.
  3. Page 3: Read about the growing pressures on Canada's fresh water from climate change and human activity. Click Next.
  4. Page 4: Read about how action on water delivers wide-ranging benefits. Question 1 is below this information on the same page.

Personalize your answers.* We encourage you to change some wording and mention a local concern or a local project advancing watershed security. That might be a threatened river or stream, drought or flooding you've experienced, or a watershed restoration project.

Identical submissions may be grouped as an organizational response instead of being treated as distinct individual feedback.

*We have not confirmed whether this happens in the current federal survey, but we have experienced it previously with feedback on provincial surveys.

Question 1 of 4

Water challenges and opportunities

What water-related challenges and opportunities do you see or expect in your region, community, and/or sector?

Suggested answer — copy and paste
B.C. faces growing threats from drought, flooding, pollution and water scarcity, putting communities, local food security, fish and wildlife at risk. B.C. has made progress with its Watershed Security Fund and local watershed governance, but funding falls short of demand. Federal investment can build on this work, restore salmon habitat and help communities prepare for water challenges before they become crises.
Make it yoursChange a few words or mention a local river or salmon stream, flood or drought concern, or a watershed restoration project.
Where to go next in the survey

After answering Question 1, click Next. You'll see an information page introducing the definition of water security. Read it, then click Next again to reach Question 2.

Question 2 of 4

How is water security defined?

On this page, the survey presents this definition:

“Our collective capacity to safeguard and sustain freshwater ecosystems; support reliable access to an adequate supply of safe, clean water for human health and well-being, and economic security; and to manage water-related risks—today and for future generations.”

How well does the definition above reflect your understanding of watershed security?

First, select an answer: We suggest Somewhat well, but choose the option that best reflects your view. Then enter your written response in the text field.
Suggested written answer — copy and paste
The definition should explicitly recognize the importance of healthy watersheds for fish and wildlife. Land and water are connected, and decisions about forestry, agriculture and development directly affect watershed health. Water security must also recognize Indigenous rights, knowledge and leadership, support collaborative watershed governance and encourage responsible land-use planning to keep our water, communities and ecosystems healthy for future generations in a changing climate.
Make it yoursWhat else is missing from the definition of water security? This response is nearly 500 characters, so replace some wording to add your own point.
Where to go next in the survey

Click Next to read about shared responsibilities for water management among governments and Indigenous governments. Click Next to read why Canada is developing a National Water Security Strategy and what it could do. Click Next once more. The next page begins with examples of existing efforts to improve water security, followed by Question 3.

Question 3 of 4

Examples of what's working

Do you know any initiatives or examples of efforts that are helping improve water security in Canada?

Examples could include local projects, community initiatives, research, infrastructure improvements, awareness campaigns and other actions. Please focus your response on fresh water.

Suggested answer — copy and paste
B.C.’s Watershed Security Fund is oversubscribed; demand exceeds funding. The 2026 Canada–B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement commits to exploring a contribution through the Canada Water Agency. Canada should invest $500 million to the Fund. Koksilah and Goat River co-governance shows progress, but more communities across B.C. need support. The First Nations Water Caucus’s “A Shared Path to Watershed Security”, co-developed with the province, offers a roadmap towards water security.
Make it yoursKnow a streamkeeper group, First Nations-led project, watershed plan or watershed restoration project near you? You can include it by replacing part of the suggested response.
Where to go next in the survey

Click Next. The next page explains what happens after the public engagement period ends. Read that information, then scroll down to Question 4 on the same page.

Question 4 of 4

What else should Canada consider?

Is there anything we haven't considered that you feel is important to consider regarding water security in Canada?

Suggested answer — copy and paste
Fresh water is vital to life in Canada. Our drinking water, food, industries, fish and wildlife all depend on it. Land and water management are inseparable: forestry, farming and development affect our watersheds. You cannot secure our water without proper land management. No two watersheds are alike. A national strategy must be flexible, providing funding, science and monitoring that meet local needs while supporting First Nations and communities to lead decisions about their own watersheds.
Make it yoursExplain why locally led solutions matter in your watershed, or highlight another concern. This answer is at the 500-character limit, so replace some wording rather than adding more.

Finish and submit

After Question 4, click Next to reach the About You section.

You'll need to indicate which province or territory you live in and whether you are affiliated with any sectors. These questions are required. Questions about age group and Indigenous distinctions are optional.

Review your responses and click Submit. You're done!

Return to the federal survey ↗

Prefer to respond by email?

If you can't complete the online survey, the Canada Water Agency also accepts written responses and additional comments by email. The questions are available in the official engagement document ↗.

Include the question number with each response and email it by October 25, 2026 to [email protected].

Write your email ↗

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