Multidisciplinary expertise and multi-jurisdictional efforts must be harnessed to ensure a plentiful and lasting supply of quality water and to meet groundwater-related challenges. Very close co-operation among all stakeholders is an essential part of this approach. Below is a summary of the activities carried out under the Groundwater Program to support collaborative action across Canada.

• Consultation initiatives

  One of the main objectives of the Groundwater Program is to develop mechanisms to foster synergy, collaboration and scientific exchanges in the field of groundwater across Canada.

  Several consultations have been held with provincial and municipal jurisdictions, universities and federal agencies. A first national workshop on groundwater was held in Quebec City, in June 2000, and a second one was held in Calgary in September 2001, in order to evaluate the progress achieved and formalize specific actions to promote co-operation.

  • first national workshop on groundwater:
    • Summary [PDF, 107.2 kb, viewer]
    • Appendix [PDF, 128.5 kb, viewer]

  • second national workshop on groundwater:
    • Report [PDF, 110.1 kb, viewer]

  A federal-provincial workshop on groundwater monitoring networks, co-hosted by the Geological Survey of Canada, the Saskatchewan Research Council and Manitoba Water, took place in Winnipeg, on October 2 and 3, 2003. It brought together some 30 representatives of provincial departments and agencies responsible for managing groundwater along with three federal departments (NRCan, EC, AAFC). The discussions centred on provincial procedures for collecting and managing data on piezometric water levels and groundwater quality. Also discussed was the feasibility of establishing a national initiative to create a data sharing infrastructure that will support the advancement of knowledge on groundwater resources, in keeping with the principles of sustainable development. The follow-up that will be accorded this gathering is integral to the priorities of the ESS Groundwater Program.

  • Report [PDF, 649.5 kb, viewer] of the federal-provincial workshop on groundwater levels and groundwater quality monitoring networks

• The National Ad-hoc Committee on Groundwater

  The National Ad-hoc Committee on Groundwater is a working group composed of stakeholders from the provinces, academia and the private sector. This committee was formed to develop and promote a national strategy on groundwater across Canada, as recommended during the first national workshop. The committee helped organize the second national workshop and produce the Canadian Framework for Collaboration on Groundwater. The committee is helping promote the Framework to interested federal and provincial departments and other stakeholders.

  • List of committee members

• Canadian Framework for Collaboration on Groundwater

  This document was prepared by a national ad-hoc committee under the leadership of NRCan. The framework for collaboration sets forth a vision and mechanisms for increasing synergy and co-operation in the area of groundwater research.

  • Canadian Framework for Collaboration on Groundwater [PDF, 15.5 Mb, viewer]