Statement by the Prime Minister on World Water Day
March 22, 2024
Ottawa, Ontario
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on World Water Day:
“Water is our most precious natural resource. It keeps us healthy, helps grow our food, and fuels our economy. Today, as we mark World Water Day, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving and protecting clean water for generations to come.
“Canada is home to a fifth of the world’s fresh water. But as climate change increasingly threatens our waters, we need transformative action to protect them. That’s why, last year, we announced the creation of a new Canada Water Agency in Winnipeg and invested $650 million over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to protect water quality and ecosystems across the country.
“In response to calls from First Nations, we introduced Bill C-61, the First Nations Clean Water Act, which aims to put in place enforceable safe drinking water protections, in line with the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We are also working to help make sure all long-term drinking water advisories are lifted. Following substantial, necessary investments into First Nations communities, we’ve supported the lifting of 144 long-term drinking water advisories and over 270 short-term advisories.
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