en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Canada Water Agency have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration on shared freshwater priorities and advancing the protection and management of freshwater ecosystems in the Northwest Territories.
This agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on issues affecting northern waters, recognizing the critical importance of freshwater to Indigenous peoples, communities, ecosystems, and the economy. The memorandum supports joint efforts to address emerging challenges, including the impacts of climate change on northern freshwater systems. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay Macdonald stated that protecting water is not only an environmental priority, but particularly in the Northwest Territories, it is essential to community well-being, traditional harvesting, transportation, economic opportunities, and future generations of northerners. Water is the foundation of health, culture, and well-being, and this agreement strengthens the partnership, supporting the shared commitment to protect freshwater resources for current and future generations.
Federal Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Nature Julie Dabrusin noted that strengthening freshwater management in the Northwest Territories is a shared responsibility requiring effective partnerships and ongoing collaboration. This memorandum lays an important foundation for the Canada Water Agency and the Government of the Northwest Territories to bring together diverse knowledge and expertise, support informed decision-making, and advance efforts to address freshwater challenges and opportunities in the North.
The agreement also recognizes the unique position of the Northwest Territories as the most downstream jurisdiction in the Mackenzie River Basin, as well as the importance of partnerships in managing freshwater resources across jurisdictions. The memorandum supports practical cooperation, including sharing data, research, expertise, and knowledge to support informed decision-making, identifying opportunities to address gaps in freshwater information and monitoring, strengthening engagement and relationships with Indigenous partners, supporting mentorship, learning, and collaboration between organizations, and advancing strategic freshwater protection and management initiatives.
Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Head of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Rebecca Chartrand stated that freshwater holds significant importance for Indigenous communities and is vital to the regional economy. This Memorandum of Understanding is a key foundation for the Canada Water Agency and the Government of the Northwest Territories to continue working together to strengthen freshwater management across the region.
