Project partnerships
The Forum for Leadership on Water (FLOW) is an independent group of water experts from across Canada that encourages government action to protect our critical freshwater resources. Its members believe that all levels of government must work together as part of a pan-Canadian strategy that effectively addresses current and emerging threats to freshwater security. POLIS Research Associate David Boyd, Water Sustainability Project Leader and Associate Director Oliver M. Brandes, and former Researcher Tony Maas all helped found the organization and remain active members of FLOW.
FLOW and its predecessor, the Gordon Water Group, have released two major reports: Changing the Flow: A Blueprint for Federal Action on Freshwater, and Clean Water, Green Jobs: A Stimulus Package for Sustainable Water Investments.
Waterlution - A Water Learning Experience emphasizes water-based education and leadership development to engage individuals, organizations, and communities in exploring issues facing local and global water supply. WSP Community Water Coordinator Susanne Porter-Bopp works with Waterlution to deliver youth engagement workshops on water issues in British Columbia.
In 2008 and 2009, WSP partnered with Waterlution - A Water Learning Experience to develop and host the Future of Water Workshop series. Three 3-day workshops were held across British Columbia:
- "Whole City-Whole System Change – A Watercentric View of Sustainability" in Victoria, July 4-6, 2008
- "Watershed Planning and Community Engagement" in the Comox Valley, April 24-26, 2009
- "Water and Agriculture" in the Okanagan Valley, September 11-13, 2009
The POLIS Water Sustainability Project is an active member of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association's National Water Efficiency Committee (CWWA) that works collectively to promote water conservation and efficiency, share best practices and develop cutting edge water management in Canada. In the fall of 2008, the CWWA and POLIS supported the planning of the Canada's 2nd National Water Conservation Conference.
POLIS is a core member of the Leadership Team for Convening for Action on Vancouver Island (CAVI)—a regional pilot program that is being implemented under the umbrella of the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia. CAVI represents a growing network that includes the British Columbia Water & Waste Association, the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia, the provincial Ministries of Environment and Community Services, and the Green Infrastructure Partnership. CAVI emphasizes “water-centric” planning and a design with nature approach to water sustainability on Vancouver Island. The group provides leadership on water sustainability, education and integration across groups and sectors.
Water Sustainability Project leader Oliver M Brandes has been appointed to the Regional District of Naniamo's Drinking Water Watersheds Advisory Committee where he is promoting application of the Soft Path water conservation approach, source protection and better watershed based governance. Check out the Action for Water website here.
The Canadian Water Network (CWN) develops opportunities related to the provision of safe, clean water. In collaboration with universities, government and industry, the CWN has developed a variety of scientific projects and initiatives that address key water-related issues facing Canadians while embracing strong multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral partnerships. The POLIS Water Sustainability Project is a core academic partner in three separate Canadian Water Network initiatives that are expected to run through 2012:
- A Canadian Water Security Index led by Karen Bakker of the University of British Columbia;
- Governance for Source Water Protection in Canada led by Rob de Loë of the University of Waterloo:
- Source Water Protection Governance Project Summary
- An Introduction to Source Water Protection Governance by Rob de Loё and Georgia Simms
- Challenges for Water Governance in Canada: A Discussion Paper by Rob de Loё and Georgia Simms
- Exploring the Role of Policy Transfer in Water Governance: A Discussion Paper by Rebecca Swainson and Rob de Loё
- More Value from the Same Water: Maximizing Water's Sustainable Contribution to the Canadian Economy led by professors Diane Dupont and Steven Renzetti of Brock University.
The Water Policy and Governance Group is a multi-university research collaborative. Our focus is water governance and water policy, primarily – but not exclusively – in Canada. Major themes in our research program include water security, source water protection, water allocation, and adaptation to climate change. We carry out practical, policy-relevant research that contributes solutions to these problems. Our success is grounded in our network of researchers and partners across Canada and around the world. Graduate training is a central part of our mission. We accomplish our goals in large part because of our excellent graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and research associates.
The Living Water Policy Project (LWPP) is a group of water policy analysts and professionals that have come together to monitor changes to federal, provincial and territorial water policy in Canada. This initiative is driven by the belief that the fragmented nature of Canadian water policy inhibits effective management of our water.
The project is guided by a growing community of partners that is unified by three objectives:
- To consolidate information on provincial, territorial and federal water policy relating to water quantity and quality
- To improve access to knowledge around Canadian water policy activities
- To improve civil society’s collective ability to participate in the public policy dialogue on water.
The LWPP is hosted by POLIS’ Water Sustainability Project. POLIS supports the initiative by helping maintain the library of Canadian water policy information and providing a platform for rigorous analysis and strategic action on trends and developments in water policy.
Water Sustainability Project leader Oliver M Brandes is a member of the Living Lakes Network Canada (LLNC) advisory board. A sub-network of the International Living Lakes Network, LLNC is an initiative of Global Nature Fund, Wildsight, and the Lake Winnipeg Foundation. The Living Lakes Network Canada aims to facilitate monitoring, protection, rehabilitation, and policy development for the long-term protection of Canada’s water bodies.
The POLIS Water Sustainability Project has partnered with Great Lakes United as part of a collaborative project that includes Environmental Defence, McMaster University’s Centre for Engineering and Public Policy, and the Alliance for Water Efficiency. The project aims to advance water conservation in Ontario. Started in 2010, the three-year project will support three communities in making a long term commitment to water conservation. POLIS will use this opportunity to document barriers to the adoption of a soft path approach. POLIS will also conduct research to determine the best available actions for moving conservation beyond conventional practice and towards innovation. This includes high levels of efficiency in new homes and the use of rainwater and greywater for indoor purposes. As part of the project, a social marketing toolkit will be developed and conservation workshops will be hosted by other partner organizations with an aim to raise water consciousness across the Great Lakes Basin.
The Brock Environmental Sustainability Research Unit (BESRU) pursues innovative and interdisciplinary research concerning the environment, sustainability, and social-ecological resilience. It addresses a variety of environmental issues including water resources innovation and resilience; environmental governance and social-ecological systems; and social justice and First Nations adaptation. BESRU also acts as a hub to connect government agencies, non-governmental organizations, other academic institutions, and research institutes.
In November 2011, POLIS Water Sustainability Project lead Oliver M. Brandes was appointed an affiliate member of BESRU. In this role, the WSP and BESRU work together to engage diverse networks and inspire action. Together, they support and develop research on water and watershed governance and resilience, and work to mobilize knowledge and raise awareness around these issues.
ACT (the Adaptation to Climate Change Team) at Simon Fraser University brings leading experts from around the world together with industry, community, and government decision makers to explore the risks posed by top-of-mind climate change issues and identify opportunities for sustainable adaptation.
POLIS and ACT have worked together to organize and facilitate multiple events focused on water sustainability and governance.
