rivers

A global movement is granting rivers legal personhood. Could the Gatineau River be next?

A global movement is granting rivers legal personhood. Could the Gatineau River be next?

A global movement to grant rivers legal personhood recently reached Canada, and a local Indigenous leader is asking whether the Gatineau River could be next. Former Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg chief Gilbert Whiteduck said such legal designation would provide the Gatineau River better environmental protection, and he's "pushing" to make it a reality. The movement, which is largely led by Indigenous communities, environmental groups and scientists, is designed to afford rivers and other ecological features stronger legal protections by granting them rights normally reserved for people.

Why volunteers scoop thousands of fish out of Alberta irrigation canals each year

Why volunteers scoop thousands of fish out of Alberta irrigation canals each year

Throughout the warmer months, Alberta's irrigation networks play a crucial role in the province. They transfer water from rivers and reservoirs, delivering it to rural communities, to farmers and to recreational areas, supporting some wildlife along the way. But along with the water comes the fish. And in the fall, when the irrigation networks shut down, thousands of them become stranded. "It's absolutely a recurring problem," said Lesley Peterson, a Calgary biologist with Trout Unlimited Canada.

Water as a divine gift, and justice issue

Water as a divine gift, and justice issue

Amos 5:24 states “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Beyond being used as a metaphor, water itself is a justice issue. Two billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water at home. At the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Rev. Elias Wolff, from Brazil, talks about the situation in his own country. “Brazil has 12% of the world’s fresh water, and 53% of the fresh water of Latin America. But 35 million people in Brazil have no access to fresh water, and 100 million lack access to sanitation infrastructure.”

Poor water access limited early efforts to fight Lytton fire

Poor water access limited early efforts to fight Lytton fire

In the first minutes of the Nohomin Creek wildfire, poor access to water hampered efforts to fight the blaze that would go on to consume several homes on Lytton First Nations’ land, according to Indigenous leaders. With the wildfire still burning and a heat wave on the horizon, First Nations in the Fraser Canyon are calling for greater water rights and better access to water for their communities. “I can only run my garden hose for 20 minutes before I run out of water,” said Nlaka’pamux Nation Tribal Council chairman Matt Pasco, chief of the Oregon Jack Creek Band. “That’s not going to fight any fire.”

Emergency alerts remain: Floodwater on northern Alberta Métis settlement receding

Emergency alerts remain: Floodwater on northern Alberta Métis settlement receding

The chief administrative officer of a Métis settlement in northwestern Alberta says water is slowly receding, but an emergency alert is still in place after heavy flooding in the area five days ago. Justin Gaudet of the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement says damages are being assessed after rain and snowmelt raised water levels on nearby rivers to heights residents have not seen before. Gaudet says the excessive moisture, combined with contaminated water, has a high potential to cause mould and unlivable conditions on the settlement.

CONTRIBUTORS OPINION Toward a more equitable water future for Canada

CONTRIBUTORS OPINION Toward a more equitable water future for Canada

Although Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world’s freshwater supply, there are still long-term advisories in effect here for 29 communities that do not have access to clean drinking water. Alarmingly, two-thirds of these long-term advisories affect Indigenous communities, including those in southern Ontario where clean water is plentiful in neighbouring towns and cities. Climate change and extreme events are exacerbating water quality degradation in lakes and rivers. The latest report from the UN’s climate panel highlights the disproportionate impact our warming planet has on marginalized communities. A lack of resilient infrastructure means communities are further affected; prioritizing better connections between water systems and people is essential to achieving equitable and safe access to clean water.

Members of Shackan Indian Band to return home more than 90 days after flooding

Members of Shackan Indian Band to return home more than 90 days after flooding

Members of a First Nation in British Columbia who were forced from their home more than 90 days ago when a nearby river changed course during catastrophic floods are now allowed to return. Chief Arnie Lampreau of the Shackan Indian Band said he never expected community members would be off their reserve in the Nicola Valley for so long. "They're excited to come home,'' he said in an interview.

Canada's waning water supply sows division in farm belt

Canada's waning water supply sows division in farm belt

Where fly fisherman Shane Olson once paddled summer tourists around in a boat, he now guides them by foot – carefully navigating shallow waters one step at a time. “Every year, these rivers seem to be getting smaller, faster,” Olson, 48, said, whipping a gleaming fishing line over the Crowsnest River about 70 kilometres from the U.S. border. It is an alarming trend in Canada’s breadbasket, and a sign of water scarcity to come as climate change speeds the melting of Rocky Mountain glaciers feeding rivers that deliver water to some seven million people across the Prairies.

Equity is key to the future of Alberta’s watersheds, experts say

Equity is key to the future of Alberta’s watersheds, experts say

For World Water Day 2021, the United Nations wants us to think about how we value water, and the ways it benefits our lives. If we want to continue to have access to water in all the ways we value, UCalgary experts say that equity needs to be the goal: equitable access to water, equitable opportunities to have a say in the future of our watersheds, and equitable consideration of sustainable approaches.

Longstanding climate change research project continues in Old Crow, Yukon

Longstanding climate change research project continues in Old Crow, Yukon

Vuntut Gwitchin traditional territory is one of the fastest warming areas in the world. That's why the Vuntut Gwitchin Government is teaming up with researchers from across Canada to address community concerns about climate change and its impacts on the land around Old Crow, Yukon. "The consequences of that are going to be long ranging and diverse and they're going to touch on every aspect of the environment," said Jeremy Brammer, fish and wildlife manager for the Vuntut Gwitchin Government.