Alberta Water Engagement

In October 2024, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (EPA) launched a public engagement to find ways to improve the province’s water management system and ensure long-term water availability. Alberta Grains collaborated with Team Alberta Crops (TAC), a coalition between seven of Alberta’s crop commissions representing about 40,000 farmers - and partnered with waterSMART Water Management Solutions (a Hazen Company), a leading water management expert in Alberta.

After consulting with farmers, TAC’s recommendations focused on streamlining drainage policies, preventing the overclassification of farmland as wetlands and advocating for improved water reuse policies, clearer water rights, and the preservation of Alberta’s current allocation system. The submission also emphasized the need for better education, aquifer monitoring, and fair appeal processes for water licenses. Overall, TAC urged collaboration with the government to balance resource use with sustainable practices, supporting both Alberta’s agricultural sector and broader ecosystem.

Alberta Grains remains committed to working with TAC on this issue, using key recommendations from the position paper to guide advocacy efforts with the Government of Alberta and other stakeholders.