Principal Investigator: Rob de Loë
The overarching goal of the proposed research is to identify and assess social, economic and political trends internal and external to the water sector that have, or may have, implications for water governance in Canada, and to assess ways of adapting water governance in Canada to better account for those drivers.
Water resources are influenced by many factors that are traditionally not fully considered by water managers, such as economic or political decisions made in the energy or food sectors. Sometimes these decisions made at a local or watershed level, but often they are linked to broader national or international decision-making processes. This project will help those who are interested in improving Canada’s ability to respond to water challenges to better recognize and account for the crucial role played by external social, political and economic drivers and forces operating beyond Canada’s borders.
Geography
Year 1-3: Lake Erie basin
Year 4-7: pan-Canadian (case studies yet to be determined)
Bottom Line
Protecting Canada’s water will require enhanced understanding and management of the social, economic and political forces that drive decisions that can affect water resources.