Section 1: Who We Are
1.1 Agency Overview
1.1.1 Canada Water Agency's Mandate
The mandate of the Canada Water Agency (CWA) is to improve freshwater management in Canada by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples to proactively address national and regional transboundary freshwater challenges and opportunities.
Mission
The CWA’s mission is to deliver this mandate by leading with excellence in the management and stewardship of fresh water in Canada for the environmental, social, economic, and spiritual wellbeing of Canada and future generations of Canadians through:
- Fostering creativity and whole-of-government approach with federal departments and agencies
- Building partnerships, enhancing trust and participating in reconciliation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners
- Advancing meaningful and respectful collaboration with provinces and territories and binational, non-governmental and private sector partners; and
- Using science and data to achieve and report on measurable results
Vision
The CWA’s vision is that fresh water in Canada is safe, clean and well managed for today and for the future.
Values
The CWA team embraces the core values and ethics of the federal public sector:
- Respect for democracy
- Respect for people
- Integrity
- Stewardship; and
- Excellence
To advance these values, Canada Water Agency employees are committed to:
A Caring Culture - Building an open, safe, respectful, and inclusive work environment that values diversity, accessibility, and reconciliation and delivers innovative work and tangible results on the management and stewardship of fresh water in Canada.
- Honesty - Ensuring that our advice, decisions and actions are principle-based, built on the expertise and advice of employees and collaborators, follow through on our commitments, are honest in all of our interactions, and individually and collectively own decisions made by or on behalf of the agency.
- Communications - Holding regular dialogue at and across all levels for better collective understanding, seeking broader inclusion of all leaders in key discussions, and timely communication of decisions and the reasons behind them to those that may be affected by them.
- Clarity - Providing direction that is outcome-based and as clear, consistent and precise as possible to empower team members.
- Decisiveness - Making timely, scientifically sound, evidence-based decisions using the best available information to inform intelligent and responsible risk taking
- Thinking Things Through - Investing in project and operational planning, taking a deliberate and methodological approach to decision-making and making better use of the multi-disciplinary experience and expertise within and outside the organization to inform what and how we do our work.
- Continuous Improvement - Striving to incrementally improve organizational and professional/personal performance in meaningful ways, support experimentation and innovation, seek and be open to feedback and accept that improvement takes time and perfection is not the goal.
1.1.2 Canada Water Agency Enabling Legislation
Freshwater management in Canada is a shared responsibility across four orders of government: federal, Indigenous, provincial or territorial, and regional or local.
The federal Minister of Environment has a lead role in freshwater responsibilities of the federal government as set out in the legislative framework described below. Other federal ministers have freshwater-related responsibilities set out in other legislation (see Tab 2.2 - Freshwater Governance in Canada for further detail).
Both the CWA and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) implement the Minister of Environment’s freshwater responsibilities.
- The Canada Water Agency Act establishes the CWA “for the purpose of assisting the Minister in exercising or performing the Minister’s powers, duties and functions in relation to fresh water under any Act of Parliament, including the Department of the Environment Act and the Canada Water Act.”
- The Department of the Environment Act provides that the Minister of Environment has powers, duties and functions that extend to and include all matters over which Parliament has jurisdiction, not by law assigned to any other department, board or agency of the Government of Canada, relating to water (among other matters).
- The Canada Water Act provides an enabling framework for freshwater collaboration among federal, provincial and territorial governments, including consultation, agreements, and programs.
ECCC also conducts freshwater activities pursuant to the Department of the Environment Act and the Canada Water Act. The following legislation is also related to fresh water and implementation is led by ECCC:
1.1.3 Canada Water Agency Strategic Goals
The Canada Water Agency has five strategic goals for the three-year period beginning in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. These strategic goals provide the foundation of the Agency’s Strategic Plan and will inform priority setting and the development of annual corporate and operational plans.
- Provide whole-of-government federal leadership in freshwater policy, management, and stewardship.
Description: The Canada Water Agency is a credible and authoritative federal voice on fresh water providing leadership in freshwater policy development, management, and stewardship. - Improve freshwater management, quality, and ecosystem health in Canada in collaboration and coordination with our partners and stakeholders.
Description: The Canada Water Agency has strong partnerships with provincial and territorial governments, stakeholders, and the United States to improve freshwater restoration, protection and management. - Partner with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to improve transboundary freshwater management, quality, and ecosystem health.
Description: Advance partnerships with Indigenous peoples to steward transboundary freshwater ecosystems by respecting Indigenous Knowledge Systems in freshwater policy, restoration, and protection. - Enable informed decision-making by leveraging freshwater data, science, and reporting.
Description: Reliable and accessible freshwater information is available to support awareness and decision-making on freshwater management, including reporting on the state of national freshwater ecosystems. - Build a resilient and regionally responsive national organization headquartered in Winnipeg that is accountable to Canadians.
Description: The Canada Water Agency is representative of Canada’s diversity with its Pan-Canadian presence and headquarters in Winnipeg. The Agency provides strong stewardship of public resources and delivers effective services to Canadians.
Canada Water Agency staff distribution across Canada
Upon coming into force on October 15, 2024, approximately 90 pre-existing positions from Environment and Climate Change Canada were transferred via Order in Council to the CWA. These positions were in addition to the approximately 70 positions that were created specifically in support of the CWA further to a Treasury Board Submission; bringing the total of FTEs for the CWA to 160.
It is anticipated that the CWA at full capacity will include approximately 220 FTEs.
- Workforce of approximately 158 employeesFootnote * located across the country:
- Includes:
- physical scientists
- engineers
- policy analysts
- program officers
- as well as enablers: (e.g., administrative, human resources and finance and results and communications staff)
- Close to 36% are scientists involved in environmental science and 35% are policy and program staff dedicated to advancing fresh water management work across the Department.
- Employment equity designated groups representation:
- Indigenous (7.2%)
- Persons with Disabilities (10.1%)
- Visible Minorities (21.2%)
- Women (71%)
- Approximately 25% of positions are currently vacant.
- Includes:
Map showing the geographic distribution of the CWA’s workforce in Canada.
From left to right:
- British Columbia 3.8%
- Alberta 5.1%
- Saskatchewan 3.2%
- Manitoba 19.6%
- Ontario 44.9%
- Quebec 19.6%
- New Brunswick 0.63% and
- Nova Scotia 3.16%
55.1% of the Agency’s workforce is located outside of Ontario.
1.2.2 Human Resources Delegation Instrument
Background
The Canada Water Agency (CWA) is listed as a Schedule IV agency in accordance with the Financial Administration Act (FAA) and is considered part of the Core Public Administration (CPA).
Deputy Heads of all CPA departments and agencies that are subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA).
Upon appointment of the CWA deputy head (President), the Public Service Commission (PSC) will authorize the deputy head to exercise (in relation to their organization) the appointment and appointment-related authorities found in the Appointment Delegation and Accountability Instrument (ADAI). The authorities in the ADAI may be exercised as soon as the deputy head is appointed or designated.
The deputy head is delegated with other HR responsibilities in accordance with relevant policy instruments (e.g. FAA, NJC Directives, etc.). Except where otherwise specified, the deputy head may sub-delegate their authorities to different levels of management within their organization.
Next steps
The role of Human Resources is to provide the deputy head with an Agency HR Delegation Instrument outlining the sub-delegation levels on various HR activities. The existing HR Delegation Instrument will be reviewed and updated for the new President within the first three months following appointment.
The HR Delegation Instrument is subsequently distributed within the organization and is effective upon date of deputy head signature of approval.
1.3 Financial Overview
Financial Overview 2024-25
Approximately 47% of funding for agency programs and activities is directed to third parties through contributions. Includes the 2024-2025 Main Estimates.
Note: Amounts have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.
1.3.1 Canada Water Agency Reference levels 2025-2026 fiscal year and beyond
| Canada Water Agency |
2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029 | 2029-2030 | 2030-2031 | 2031-2032 | 2032-2033 | 2033-2034 & ongoing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personnel | 25,738,109 | 25,393,519 | 25,393,519 | 25,279,019 | 25,279,019 | 25,279,019 | 25,279,019 | 25,279,019 | 19,149,719 |
| Operating & Maintenance |
10,470,374 | 9,745,459 | 14,102,687 | 13,917,103 | 9,976,193 | 8,645,843 | 8,652,663 | 8,611,839 | 6,624,107 |
| CapitalTable note1 | 1,920,000 | 180,000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Operating Vote |
38,128,483 | 35,318,978 | 39,496,206 | 39,196,122 | 35,255,212 | 33,924,862 | 33,931,682 | 33,890,858 | 25,773,826 |
Explanation of Table A
Table A shows the total operating vote over time, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 up to and beyond 2033-2034, of the Canada Water Agency, which is comprised of Personnel, Operating and Maintenance and Capital expenditures. The Operating Vote peaks at $39.5 million in 2027–28 and gradually declines to $25.8 million by 2033–34. This trend reflects the phasing out of temporary funding and a shift toward a more stable long-term budget.
| Contributions | 42,765,417 | 40,630,417 | 39,995,417 | 38,135,417 | 38,425,417 | 38,705,417 | 39,005,417 | 38,723,417 | 10,267,817 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Grants & Contributions Vote |
42,765,417 | 40,630,417 | 39,995,417 | 38,135,417 | 38,425,417 | 38,705,417 | 39,005,417 | 38,723,417 | 10,267,817 |
Explanation of Table B
Table B shows the contributions vote over time, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 up to and beyond 2033-2034, of the Canada Water Agency. The funding starts at $42.8 million in 2025–26 and steadily decreases to $10.3 million by 2033–34.
| Total Voted | 80,893,900 | 75,949,395 | 79,491,623 | 77,331,539 | 73,680,629 | 72,630,279 | 72,937,099 | 72,614,275 | 36,041,643 |
|---|
Explanation of Table C
Table C shows the total voted appropriations, over time, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 up to and beyond 2033-2034, of the Canada Water Agency, which is a combination of the totals from Table A and Table B. It begins at $80.9 million in 2025–26 and decreases to $36.0 million by 2033–34, which reflects a reduction in temporary funding.
| Statutory (Employee Benefit plan at 15.3%) |
3,937,931 | 3,885,208 | 3,885,208 | 3,867,690 | 3,867,690 | 3,867,690 | 3,867,690 | 3,867,690 | 2,929,907 |
|---|
Explanation of Table D
Table D shows the total statutory budget allocation, over time, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 up to and beyond 2033-2034, of the Canada Water Agency, calculated at 15.3% of the personnel portion of the Operating Vote in each fiscal year. The statutory allocation remains relatively stable at approximately $3.9 million annually until 2032–33, then drops to $2.9 million in 2033–34 which is in line with the decrease in the personnel portion of the Operating Vote.
| Total Budgetary | 84,831,831 | 79,834,603 | 83,376,831 | 81,199,229 | 77,548,319 | 76,497,969 | 76,804,789 | 76,481,965 | 38,971,550 |
|---|
Explanation of Table E
Table E shows the total budgetary allocations, over time, starting in fiscal year 2025-2026 up to and beyond 2033-2034, of the Canada Water Agency, which is a combination of the totals from Table C and Table D. The total starts at $84.8 million in 2025–26, gradually declining to $39.0 million by 2033–34, which reflects a reduction in temporary funding.
Funding fluctuates between fiscal years as the TB Submission for the Freshwater Action Plan and Canada Water Agency included both permanent (A-Base) and temporary (B-Base) funding. The B-Base funding sunsets at the end of fiscal year 2032-33. In addition, the TB Submission identified resource requirements reflecting the specific operational requirements of the CWA programs, which are not necessarily the same from year-to year.
1.4 Canada Water Agency – Organizational Chart
The CWA is included in the environment portfolio, alongside Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
Text description of the organizational chart
1.4 Canada Water Agency – Organizational Chart
From the President's (GC-8) position, there is a line leading to the:
- President's Office:
- Chief of Staff (EX-1)
- Senior Advisor, Advisory Unit (EC-06)
- Manager, Corporate Secretariat (AS-07)
- Manager, Enterprise-Wide Business Processes (EC-07)
- Senior Advisor, Advisory Unit (EC-06)
- Chief of Staff (EX-1)
From the President, there is a second line leading to the:
- Director General of Corporate Services (EX-2):
- Director, Centre of Expertise (PE-6)
- Director, Finance and Results (EX-01)
- Manager, Planning and Results (EC-07)
- Manager, Finance Planning and Resource Management (FI-04)
- Director, Finance and Results (EX-01)
- Director, Centre of Expertise (PE-6)
From the President, there is third line leading to the:
- Director General of Freshwater Management (EX-03):
- Executive Director, Freshwater Management Ontario (EX-02)
- Executive Director, Freshwater Management Rest of Canada (EX-02)
- Manager, Policy Analysis (EC-07)
From the President, there is a fourth line leading to the:
- Director General of Policy and Engagement (EX-02):
- Director, Fresh Water Policy CTR COE (need acronyms spelled out) (EX-01)
- Director, Indigenous Partnerships, External Relations and Communications Division (EX-01)
- Senior Policy Advisor (EC-07)
The Honourable Terry Duguid was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in 2015.
Minister Duguid has previously served as Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Special Advisor for Water, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages (Western Economic Diversification Canada) and to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Canada Water Agency). He was also Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
With a diverse background in civic government, business, and environmental leadership, Minister Duguid has shown a strong commitment to public service throughout his career. From 1989 to 1995, he served as a Winnipeg city councillor. In 1995, he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gateway North Marketing Agency, to secure a future for the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Rail Line. Two years later, he founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specializing in environmental management, sustainable development, transportation, and international affairs consulting. He was later named Chairman of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission then President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, a non-profit public health organization he helped create.
In addition to his professional career, Minister Duguid has devoted considerable time and effort to community and national environmental organizations and initiatives. He served as Executive Director of the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force in 2001, as a member of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy from 2000 to 2004, and as a member of the Manitoba Emissions Trading Task Force in 2004.
Minister Duguid has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society. He earned first-class honours while obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Carleton University. He also holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary, with a focus on tackling the crucial issues of water quality, ozone depletion, and acid rain.
The son of two-time World Curling champion and renowned curling broadcaster Don Duguid, Minister Duguid grew up playing curling with his four brothers. He also played football, hockey, and baseball, and remains an avid sports fan to this day. Most recently, he has worked to help establish cricket pitches in his community of Winnipeg South.
Minister Duguid and his wife, Linda, have two daughters.
Minister of Environment
and Climate Change Canada
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