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POLIS WSP Featured in Water's Next 2012!
January 2012
The WSP is honoured to be a featured project in Water’s Next 2012. Water’s Next is an annual publication of Water Canada magazine that highlights significant contributions to Canada’s waterscape. Click here for more.
Rainwater Management in a Watershed Context—What's the Goal?
January 2012
application/pdf iconRainwater Management in a Watershed Context Article
Following on the heels of POLIS' release of “Peeling Back the Pavement: A Blueprint for Reinventing Rainwater Management,” the November/December 2011 issue of Stormwater features the article “Rainwater Management in a Watershed Context.” Click for more information.
Webinar—Wave of the Future: Water Policy in Western Canada
December 2011
application/pdf iconPromotional Poster Webinar #3
application/pdf iconWave of the Future Report
application/pdf iconSetting a New Course Report
application/pdf iconThe Public Trust and a Modern BC Water Act Legal Brief
application/pdf iconPolicy Proposal on British Columbia's New Water Sustainability Act
On January 19th POLIS is hosting the third webinar in this year's Creating a Blue Dialogue webinar series, "Wave of the Future: Water Policy in Western Canada." Click for more information.
Applying water soft path analysis in an agricultural region of Canada—Water International Article
November 2011
A new article about the water soft path, co-authored by Sheila Forsyth and POLIS' David B. Brooks was recently published in Water International.
Oliver M. Brandes Joins Brock Environmental Sustainability Research Unit
November 2011
WSP lead Oliver M. Brandes was recently appointed an affiliate member of the Brock Envrionmental Sustainabilty Research Unit (BESRU) at Brock University.
National Discussion Series "Securing Our Water Future" in Victoria
November 2011
POLIS and the Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) at Simon Fraser University are hosting the Victoria, B.C. stop of the cross-country water policy discussion series, “Securing Our Water Future” with Bob Sandford.
Webinar—Peeling Back the Pavement: Reinventing Rainwater Management in Canada's Communities
October 2011
application/pdf iconPromotional Poster Webinar #2
application/pdf iconAdditional Reading: Barraclough & Hegg. (2008). Nature's Revenue Streams: Five Ecological Value Case Studies
application/pdf iconAdditional Reading: Lucey, P. New Revenue Streams and GHG Reduction Through Bold, Integrated Water and Energy Recovery
On October 26th POLIS is hosting the second webinar in this year's Creating a Blue Dialogue webinar series, "Peeling Back the Pavement: Reinventing Rainwater Management in Canada's Communities." Click for more information.
Peeling Back the Pavement: A Blueprint for Reinventing Rainwater Management in Canada's Communities
October 2011
"Peeling Back the Pavement: A Blueprint for Reinventing Rainwater Management in Canada’s Communities" is a new POLIS report that outlines the crucial steps necessary to change the way communities manage and govern stormwater.
FLOW Monitor
October 2011
The Fall 2011 edition of the FLOW Monitor is now available! It explores the innovative approach to water management developed in the Northwest Territories and its applicability to the rest of Canada.
Fergus-Elora Soft Path Strategy Profiled in The Grand
October 2011
The Fall 2011 issue of The Grand, the newsletter of the Grand River Conservation Authority, highlights the POLIS Soft Path Strategy for Fergus-Elora.
Webinar—Shared Water, One Framework: What Canada Can Learn from EU Water Governance
September 2011
application/pdf iconPromotional Poster Webinar #1
application/pdf iconPre-Webinar Reading Material: Shared Water, One Framework Briefing Note
On September 28th POLIS hosted the first webinar in this year's Creating a Blue Dialogue webinar series, "Shared Water, One Framework: What Canada Can Learn from EU Water Governance." Click for more information.
Ontario Government Announces WaterTAP Board
August 2011
POLIS WSP's Innovation & Technology Director, Carol Maas, has been appointed to the board of the new Water Technologies Acceleration Project (WaterTAP).
Review of Soft Path Book in Journal AWWA
July 2011
application/pdf iconBook Review in Journal AWWA, August 2011
A new review of Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management was published in the August 2011 issue of Journal AWWA.
POLIS WSP Profiled in BC-CWRA Newsletter
July 2011
A profile of the POLIS Water Sustainability Project was published in the July 2011 issue of Runoff, BC-CWRA's digital newsletter.
A Soft Path Strategy for Fergus-Elora, Ontario
June 2011
The POLIS Water Sustainability Project has developed a proposed water soft path strategy for the Ontario communities of Fergus and Elora.
A Water Gathering: Collaborative Watershed Governance in BC and Beyond
June 2011
application/pdf iconEvent Brochure
application/pdf iconBursary Application Form
application/pdf iconMedia Release
Register now for a cutting-edge "unconference" on collaborative watershed governance! UBC Robson Square, Vancouver, January 26-27, 2012.
Oliver M. Brandes on the Council of the Federation Water Partner Advisory Committee
June 2011
Oliver M. Brandes will serve on the Council of the Federation Water Partner Advisory Committee to provide advice to its Water Stewardship Council.
Water Soft Path Article in Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine
June 2011
POLIS' Laura Brandes authored an exposition of the water soft path in the May/June 2011 issue of Environmental Science & Engineering Magazine.
Oliver M. Brandes Quoted in Hill Times Water and Oceans Policy Briefing
June 2011
Oliver M. Brandes discusses freshwater governance in the Hill Times Water and Oceans Policy Briefing, June 2011.
Soft Path Book is a "Must Read"
May 2011
Canadian Water Resources Journal names "Making the Most of the Water We Have" a "must read."
Why a Water Soft Path, Why Now and What Then? International Journal of Water Resources Development
April 2011
A new article about the water soft path, co-authored by POLIS' David B. Brooks and Oliver M. Brandes, was recently published in the International Journal of Water Resources Development.
Making the Most of the Water We Have
March 2011
"Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Soft Path Approach to Water Management" is now available in paperback. First published in June 2009, Making the Most of the Water We Have is the most comprehensive water soft path resource to date. It is available at Chapters and Amazon, and can be purchased directly from the publisher for 20% off the list price.
Our Water Future: A Better Way to Save on Water Costs
March 2011
Carol Maas describes the importance of embracing a new vision of water stewardship in York Region as a member of the Long Term Water Conservation Strategy advisory panel.
Oliver M. Brandes profiled in UBC Okanagan News article
March 2011
Oliver M. Brandes' presentation "Thinking like a watershed: the future of water law and governance in B.C. and beyond" is profiled in the UBC Okanagan News.
"Water Act Modernization" Radio Interview on BC Almanac
March 2011
WSP Project Leader, Oliver M. Brandes, is featured on CBC's BC Almanac, talking about the Water Act Modernization process.
COMPARISON: Proposed Water Sustainability Act (2010) AGAINST ENGO Statement of Expectations (2009) AND Living Water Smart (2008)
March 2011
This new assessment compares the Government's proposed Water Sustainability Act (2010) to the NGO Statement of Expectations (2009) and the original Living Water Smart promises (2008).
POLIS Water Act Modernization Submission 2
March 2011
In March 2011, University of Victoria’s POLIS Project on Ecological Governance released its formal response to the government's Policy Proposal on British Columbia's New Water Sustainability Act.
Carol Maas authors "Taming of the Hogs" article in Alternatives Journal
December 2010
From the energy used to bring water to the tap to the water required for fossil fuel extraction, the water-energy nexus comes full circle in an article by Carol Maas in Alternatives Journal.
Water Matters
November 2010
WSP Team leader, Oliver M. Brandes was a guest on Voice of BC speaking to critical water issues British Columbians are facing and the actions of Government.
Alberta Urban Municipalities Association pre-convention workshop
November 2010
The POLIS WSP Team recently hosted a water conservation planning and implementation workshop with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association.
The September/October issue of Water Canada reviews Ontario's proposed Water Opportunities Act.
November 2010
Carol Maas and Matt Binstock describe the proposed Act as "More than Toilets and TAPs."
Common Law: Implementing the Public Trust Doctrine in British Columbia
November 2010
WSP team member Liz Hendriks examines the opportunity for implementing the public trust doctrine in BC with the Government's interest in modernizing the outdated Water Act.
Waterlution's Canadian Water Innovation Lab
October 2010
In October, POLIS team members Susanne Porter-Bopp, Elizabeth Hendriks traveled to Banff, Alberta and helped facilitate the 2010 Canadian Water Innovation Lab along with 46 others
Worth Every Penny gets more national attention in Water Canada article
October 2010
Our recent report on water conservation-based pricing gets national attention in the September/October 2010 edition of Water Canada!
Waterbucket Features "Worth Every Penny" Report
August 2010
Water pricing is a hot issue in communities across the country. Yet it remains an almost totally untapped option for helping ensure our water service infrastructure...
A book conversation between the editors and a reviewer: “the soft path approach”
August 2010
Check out a new review for "Making the Most of the Water We Have" found in the May, 2010 issue of Water International.
The Public Trust and a Modern BC Water Act
June 2010
Project Leader Oliver M. Brandes and Randy Christensen (Ecojustice) examine the use of the Public Trust Doctrine in British Columbia water law.
Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable
June 2010
Carol Maas outlined key benefits of actions included in Ontario's proposed Water Opportunity and Water Conservation Act at the Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable in Toronto, Ontario.
"Worth Every Penny" Op-Ed
May 2010
Spring is supposed to be time of renewal, of optimism and joy at the prospects of hot summer days ahead. Instead, here in British Columbia, Environment Minister Barry Penner is warning us...
"Worth Every Penny" Radio Interview
May 2010
Project leader Oliver M. Brandes chats with Jo-Ann Roberts about the myth of water abundance and the need for Canadians to focus on Conservation-Oriented Water Pricing.  Click here to hear the podcast.
Worth Every Penny: A Primer on Conservation-Oriented Water Pricing
May 2010
"Worth Every Penny" is a POLIS report that provides an overview of conservation-oriented water pricing in Canada. 
Ontario's Water-Energy Nexus
April 2010
POLIS delivers Water-Energy Nexus video at meeting of the Water Guardians Network
Ontario's Water-Energy Nexus
April 2010
POLIS' second report on the water-energy nexus offers Ontario’s first estimate of the large quantities of energy used to pump, treat and heat water and to generate steam.
Making the Most of the Water We Have: The Future of Water Management in the CRD
April 2010
The POLIS Water Sustainability Project and the Division of Continuing Studies organised a panel discussion about the future of water in our region April 28, 2010.
POLIS Water Act Modernization Submission
April 2010
Formal April 2010 submission to the Government of British Columbia's Water Act Modernization process.
WSP Project Leader Oliver Brandes featured on CTV's Business News Network
April 2010
WSP Project Leader Oliver Brandes was featured in an interview on the state of Canada's water on CTV's Business News Network on World Water Day - March 22, 2010.
POLIS Discussion Series on Water with Special Guest Bob Sandford
March 2010
The Future of Water Law and Governance series is launched with the POLIS Discussion Series special guest Bob Sandford at the University of Victoria on March 30th, 2010
Soft Path Strategy for Salt Spring Island, B.C.
March 2010
In partnership with the Salt Spring Island Water Council, WSP has released its latest soft path pilot project case study.
ActionH2O Water Sustainability Charter
March 2010
The first resource of our new ActionH2O campaign is here! The ActionH2O Water Sustainability Charter seeks to commit local government councils across Canada to achieving local water conservation goals.
Collaborative Watershed Governance Initiative and BC Water Act Modernization
March 2010
Dr Jon O'Riordan (with Oliver M Brandes) presented "Watershed Governance and BC's Water Act Modernization" to the Collaborative Watershed Governance Initiative Steering Committee
Tools and Approaches for Source Water Protection in Canada
March 2010
POLIS partners at the UWaterloo Water Policy and Governance Group have released a new detailed report surveying source water protection governance and practice across Canada.
The Water Policy and Watershed Governance Seminar Series
January 2010
Oliver M. Brandes presented two sessions in the recent Water Policy and Watershed Governance Seminar Series hosted by the Institute for Coastal Research.
Save Energy - Shower With a Friend!
January 2010
Check out our latest water-energy article in Alternatives' New Energy Issue.
Review of "Making the Most of the Water We Have"
January 2010
application/pdf iconBook Review
Reform of BC's Water Act - NGO Statement sent to BC Ministry of Environment
January 2010
This document answers the call of the Premier of British Columbia for citizens to become part of the solution for securing our water future.

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