Organizational structure
Find information on Canada Water Agency’s leaders and organizational branches.
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Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Mark Fisher was appointed President of the Canada Water Agency in March 2025. Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) from 2014 to 2025, overseeing CGLR Canada and the CGLR Foundation, as well as their U.S. counterparts.
With over 20 years of experience across government, corporate, academic, and non-profit sectors, Mark has advised decision-makers on socio-economic and environmental issues, collaboration strategies, and policy solutions. Before joining CGLR, he was a Foreign Policy Analyst at the Privy Council Office, focusing on Canada’s North American and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) relations.
Mark has contributed significantly to Great Lakes governance, serving on the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Water Quality Board and Ontario’s Great Lakes Guardians Council. He was also a publicly elected trustee for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for 13 years and a director on the board of Easter Seals Ontario.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Earth Sciences from Brock University and a postgraduate certificate in Ecosystem Restoration from Niagara College. Committed to lifelong learning, he completed the Directors of Education program at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and earned his ICD.D (Institute of Corporate Directors, Director) designation. He also undertook training in negotiations, strategic communications, and international law through the Canadian Foreign Service Institute.
A recipient of the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence, Mark brings extensive leadership and policy expertise to the Canada Water Agency.
Our teams
Learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Canada Water Agency.
Freshwater Management
The Freshwater Management Directorate and its regional hubs lead Freshwater Ecosystem Initiatives and support domestic and bi-national water boards. It gathers regional freshwater intelligence in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, regional stakeholders, and the public to inform decision-making.
Director General, Véronique Hiriart-Baer
Freshwater Policy and Engagement
The Freshwater Policy and Engagement Directorate leads federal freshwater policy innovation, research, and foresight analysis. It leads the Federal Freshwater Hub to strengthen horizontal governance and coordination across the federal government. It seeks to advance Indigenous relationships, collaboration with provinces and territories, and engagement with stakeholders and the public. The Directorate is also responsible for the Communications and Corporate Secretariat functions for the Canada Water Agency.
Director General, Gemma Boag
Corporate Services and Chief Finance Officer
The Corporate Services Directorate and Chief Financial Officer lead many internal services within the CWA, including finance and procurement, human resources, information management and technology. It leads arrangements with federal departments providing services to the CWA.
Director General, Mireille Drouin
Freshwater portfolio
Canada Water Agency is a federal institution that is part of the Environment and Climate Change Canada portfolio.