National Freshwater Data Strategy

Overview

Every year, Canadians face important decisions related to freshwater. Such decisions can link to:

The environment, for example, how to protect or restore a waterbody
The economy, for example, where to locate a factory
Health, for example, whether to drink tap water, or
Safety, for example, how to mitigate the risk of floods

To make informed decisions, Canadians require data that is accurate, up-to-date, and readily available. Canada has an abundance of freshwater data, but the ability to access and use it is limited due to the lack of standard approaches for managing and integrating data.

Vision

A National Freshwater Data Strategy will begin to establish guidelines and principles for how freshwater information should be organized, stored, and shared in Canada. Once implemented, the Strategy will make it easier for Canadians to find and access freshwater data, as well as use and combine data from various sources. This, in turn, will strengthen decision-making and knowledge generation and will help keep fresh water safe, clean, and well-managed.

The Strategy will build on existing data systems, data science, and analytics expertise through collaboration with partners and stakeholders. It will align with broader federal data efforts, including the Government of Canada’s Digital Ambition and the 2023–2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service, while protecting Indigenous data sovereignty.

Key partners and stakeholders

The Canada Water Agency is leading the development of the National Freshwater Data Strategy. The Agency will work in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders including:

federal departments and agencies
provinces and territories
First Nations
Métis
Inuit
municipalities
academia
the private sector
non-government organizations and
others who collect, manage, or use freshwater data in Canada.

Engagement with interested parties will continue throughout the development of the Strategy.

To be part of this collaborative exercise or for more information, please contact the CWA via the email address below.