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The bulk water policy statements detail the conditions that apply to
the prohibition for bulk water removal for Northwest Territories and Nunavut
and is complimentary to the regular water licensing process carried out
by the various water licencing boards. Devolution has removed Yukon from
federal water management, so these policies are restricted to the Northwest
Territories and Nunavut. The statements were developed with input from
both territorial governments.
Bulk water removal is defined as any water transferred out of the river
basin in any individual container greater than 40 litres in volume. There
are exemptions for some water uses such as fire and safety, and road construction
and maintenance.
The reasoning behind the decision to prohibit bulk water removal is based
on the following principles:
- Water is fundamental to life and is a precious resource.
- Water-linked ecosystems are essential to the well-being of Nunavut
and the Northwest Territories residents, especially those who still
live an Aboriginal lifestyle.
- The wise and sustainable use of water is critical to protecting the
health of all living resources in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories
while promoting environmental, social and economic benefits for present
and future generations.
- The conservation and protection of water in Nunavut and the Northwest
Territories, and the drainage basins from which it comes, require the
cooperation of all parties that manage water and regulate its use. This
is particularly true for river basins that cross boundaries of territories
and provinces.
The removal of water in bulk can have negative impacts within the donor
basin by compromising existing in-stream water uses, altering the ecology
of water habitats, and threatening cultural values of, and cultural activities
in, the river basin. This action could also impact potential future developments
within the river basin that would require water resources.
The policy will be reviewed, in consultation with other water management
and regulating parties, from time to time, to evaluate its adequacy in
achieving the objective of providing optimum and lasting benefits from
the water resources of Canada to its residents.
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