Challenges Facing Surface Water Monitoring in Canada

Surface water monitoring programs that are managed by provincial and federal government agencies have served Canada well. Due to continued financial pressures, such agencies are required to review their respective involvements with potentially significant implications for national data collection programs. As the federal lead agency on surface water monitoring, Environment Canada is actively engaged in seeking new solutions in order to continue program delivery. Departmental water managers have undertaken strategies such as extensive consultations with partners and clients; engagement in national harmonization processes between federal and provincial governments; rationalization of the federal networks; and evaluation of alternative delivery mechanisms. The pressures for change arising from both internal and external sources have challenged these managers to significantly re-engineer their monitoring programs through a more cooperative approach with partners and clients. While many initiatives are ongoing and financial pressures escalating, a new strategy for water monitoring in Canada is developing.