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Defend the water BC depends on

Questions for Candidates Kit

Safe drinking water, growing food and wild salmon all depend on healthy watersheds. This election, ask your candidates to support practical steps to keep our water sources healthy.

Choose your question

Ask where your candidates stand.

Choose the main question that matters most to you. If you have time, choose one optional follow-up to explore their answer.

  1. Make big industrial water users pay fair rates Would you support raising water rates for BC’s largest industrial users, like frackers, AI data centres and mining operations, to help keep our water sources healthy? Optional follow-up: Would you support putting the extra revenue into the Watershed Security Fund to keep local water sources healthy? Quick fact: BC charges industrial water users a maximum of $2.25 for a million litres of water. Learn more:Who SucksThe Great Water Giveaway
  2. Give communities a stronger say in their water Would you support funding local watershed boards so communities have more say in how their freshwater is managed?
    Optional follow-ups — choose one:
    • How many local watershed boards would you aim to establish across BC?
    • How would you provide stable, long-term funding for those boards?
    Why it matters: Local watershed boards can help communities monitor their water sources, guide decisions and plan restoration. Learn more:The case for watershed boards (PDF)
  3. Invest in the water we depend on Would you support more funding to keep our drinking water safe, help farmers grow food and restore natural defences against floods and drought? Optional follow-up: Would you support pushing the federal government to contribute to BC’s Watershed Security Fund under the Cooperative Prosperity Agreement? If so, how much would you ask for? Agreement context: The Canada–BC Cooperative Prosperity Agreement commits the two governments to exploring a contribution to BC’s Watershed Security Fund through the Canada Water Agency. It leaves the amount of any contribution open. Learn more:Canada–BC Cooperative Prosperity AgreementFund and grantsBC Flood Strategy
  4. Hold water wasters and polluters accountable Would you support stronger monitoring and enforcement to hold companies accountable for wasting or polluting our water?
    Optional follow-ups — choose one:
    • Would you support a moratorium on new commercial water bottling licences in BC?
    • Would you support requiring new AI data centres to meet strict water and energy efficiency standards and have support from local governments and affected First Nations before being built?
    • Would you support requiring all industrial water users to measure and report how much water they use?
    Why it matters: Monitoring shows how much water companies use and whether they are following the rules. Regulators need enough staff and resources to investigate pollution and enforce those rules. Learn more:CodeBlue’s detailed planBC enforcement reports

Start a conversation

Three tips for asking candidates

  1. Make it local. Say you live in the riding and name a river, creek or lake that matters to you.
  2. Ask one clear question. Choose the question that matters most to you. Read it as written or put it in your own words, then give the candidate time to answer.
  3. Build on their answer. If they support the idea, thank them and choose a follow-up to learn more. If they need more information, offer to share this kit and the election hub.

Take the next step

Make the water we depend on an election priority.

Ask in person

Find an all-candidates meeting near you and ask a question about your community’s water.

Find a meeting
Email your candidates

Ask your candidates to make big industrial users pay fair rates, give communities a stronger say, invest in healthy water sources and enforce the rules.

Email your candidates