Empowering Alberta Farmers Through Effective Water Policy Advocacy
In October of 2024, Alberta Environment and Protected Areas announced a public engagement to find ways to improve the province’s water management system and ensure the availability of water to meet the needs of the future. As the province’s economy and population grow, while facing increased variability in water supply, it has become increasingly apparent that a review of certain aspects water management is necessary. As part of the engagement, the Government of Alberta (GoA) has sought feedback from a wide range of stakeholders on topics such as: measuring and reporting water use, water conservation, efficiency and productivity, water allocation and transfer and inter-basin. The existing priority and licence seniority system in Alberta —based on the “first in time, first in right” principle - did not appear to be considered in this consultation.
Water is a critical input to crop production, and it is paramount that farmers’ perspectives were effectively represented in this consultation. For this reason, Alberta Grains worked with Team Alberta Crops (TAC), a collaboration between seven of Alberta’s crop commissions representing about 40,000 farmers. To ensure farmers’ needs were accurately conveyed, TAC worked with waterSMART Water Management Solutions (a Hazen Company) - a leading water management expert in Alberta. Many farmers were consulted and graciously shared their experiences managing water, highlighting both successes and struggles with current legislation.
Team Alberta Crops Submission
Key recommendations include revising drainage policies for wetlands and non-wetlands to streamline permitting, promote collaboration among experts, and address overclassification of agricultural lands as wetlands. The paper highlights the benefits of tile and surface drainage systems and proposes regional partnerships and improved maintenance of drainage infrastructure. Dugouts are emphasized as vital for on-farm water storage, with calls to simplify authorization exemptions and refine wetland classification criteria to facilitate their construction.
The paper also supports developing a provincial water reuse policy, clarifying water rights, and defining "delta water" to enhance rainwater use. It advocates for maintaining Alberta’s current water measurement and allocation system, emphasizing stakeholder education and improve government communication. Additionally, the document calls for better public understanding of aquifers through expanded monitoring and accessible information.
Team Alberta Crops stresses the importance of preserving the current allocation and transfer system. Additionally, the Environmental Appeals Board's impartiality and maintaining appeal rights for water license amendments should remain intact. The paper concludes with a commitment to further assessing water-related risks and opportunities, encouraging collaboration with the Alberta government to address regulatory, environmental, and agricultural challenges. This approach aims to balance resource use with sustainable practices, supporting Alberta's agricultural sector and broader ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
The consultation process ended on January 24th, 2025. The GoA will review submissions and, by fall 2025, engage with main water-using-sectors to further discuss these topics. This process may influence government programs, policy or legislation in the future.
Alberta Grains intends to work with TAC to launch a fulsome risk assessment and process, which will expand our understanding of water-related opportunities and risks facing producers. This roadmap will include actionable strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, changing markets, and regulatory items outside of The Water Act. Alberta Grains and our crop commission partners will continue using the key recommendations from this position paper to guide advocacy efforts with the GoA and other stakeholders.
Alberta Grains urges the Government of Alberta to prioritize the needs of farmers in its water management decisions. Timely action is essential to ensure farmers have the tools and resources needed to sustain their businesses and respond to an increasingly unpredictable climate. By implementing these recommendations, the government can secure a prosperous future for Alberta’s agricultural sector.