Where did watershed security show up in the B.C. provincial party election platforms?
October 16, 2026
NEWS RELEASE: You can’t build an economic powerhouse without water security, says B.C. coalition
Federal Budget 2026 overlooks the natural infrastructure Canada’s economy depends on
VANCOUVER, B.C. — November 5, 2026 — The B.C. Watershed Security Coalition says the federal government’s 2026 budget misses an opportunity to make watershed security a central part of Canada’s economic and infrastructure agenda.
As the federal government advances its plans for economic growth, major projects, trade diversification and national security, the Coalition is calling for greater recognition of the essential role healthy watersheds play in supporting long-term economic resilience, climate adaptation and healthy communities.
Budget 2026 includes important investments in Pacific salmon recovery, nature conservation, First Nations drinking water, infrastructure and flood mitigation, although much of this funding was announced earlier in 2026. While the budget recognizes the importance of protecting Canada’s oceans as economic activity expands, it stops short of making the same commitment upstream to the rivers and watersheds that sustain our industries, communities and coastal ecosystems.
The budget does not identify dedicated new investments to strengthen watershed security, expand the work of the Canada Water Agency or implement Canada’s forthcoming National Water Security Strategy, raising questions about how the federal government intends to deliver on its freshwater commitments.
“The federal government wants to make Canada an economic powerhouse, but you can’t build an economic powerhouse if you’re running out of water to power it,” said Coree Tull, Chair of the B.C. Watershed Security Coalition. “Freshwater supports our industries, agriculture, energy production and communities. Budget 2026 makes significant commitments to economic development and major infrastructure, but offers little new investment in the natural infrastructure, monitoring and management of the watersheds they depend on. Without these investments, we risk undermining the very economic certainty and resilience the federal government is trying to build. Watershed security is economic security.”
Across British Columbia, the growing impacts of drought, wildfire, water scarcity and flooding are already putting pressure on communities, industries and local economies. These challenges underscore the urgent need to invest in prevention, strengthen watershed management and protect the freshwater systems that underpin Canada’s economic prosperity and resilience.
British Columbians recognize what’s at stake. Recent polling shows 90% agree that protecting Canada’s freshwater systems is vital to national sovereignty and security, reinforcing the importance of making watershed security a national priority.
“Food security is water security. We cannot strengthen Canadian agriculture or build more resilient food systems without protecting the watersheds that farmers depend on,” said Dave Zehnder, Cattle Rancher and Coalition Steering Committee Member. “Across B.C., farmers and rural communities are already facing the economic costs of drought and water scarcity. Investing in healthy watersheds means protecting livelihoods, strengthening local economies and preventing far greater costs down the road.”
Turning federal commitments into action doesn’t require starting from scratch. In British Columbia, the Canada–B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement already includes a commitment to explore a federal contribution to the B.C. Watershed Security Fund, creating a clear opportunity to invest in healthy watersheds, strengthen local economies, create jobs and help communities prepare for droughts, floods and wildfires.
The Fund is already established and ready to scale, with strong demand for locally led projects that protect communities, restore healthy watersheds and support regional economic resilience.
“B.C. already has the funding mechanism, the projects and a federal-provincial agreement that opens the door to new investment,” said Tull. “We don’t need to start from scratch. We need governments to work together to turn these commitments into action.”
The Coalition is calling on the federal government to follow through on the Canada–B.C. Cooperative Prosperity Agreement and recommendation 114 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance by making a meaningful federal investment in B.C.’s watershed security.
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Media Contact:
Coree Tull coree@bcwaterlegacy.ca
About the B.C. Watershed Security Coalition
The B.C. Watershed Security Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of 60 organizations representing more than 285,000 British Columbians. Its members include First Nations, local governments, businesses, agricultural organizations, conservation groups and community leaders working together to advance the policies, partnerships and investments needed to secure B.C.’s watersheds for future generations.
