Edmonton —  Today, Public Interest Alberta is calling for the UCP Government to halt further progress on Bill 7, Water Amendment Act, 2025, until such time as a thorough engagement with interested First Nations, Metis settlements, and indigenous communities, as well as the Federal Government is conducted.

“Since this amending legislation was introduced, indigenous leaders have raised their voices in opposition but until now they have been ignored,” said Bradley Lafortune, Executive Director of Public Interest Alberta. “We are calling for a pause on any changes to the Water Act until these leaders and all Albertans are assured that Treaty, all federal and provincial regulations, and the public interest is being respected.”

Proposed Changes to the Water Act

The new legislative amendments propose to allow for inter-basin transfers without the currently required consent of the Legislative Assembly. Instead, the designated minister will be allowed to make unilateral approvals for inter-basin transfers, undoing the ability for the public and interested parties to provide feedback.

Ontario and Manitoba do not allow inter-basin transfers, and B.C. has upper limits and stringent regulatory hurdles on them. The proposed changes in Alberta will mean no public or legislature scrutiny of inter-basin transfer approvals, and there will be no upper limits for so-called “low-risk” transfers.

The amending legislation also proposes an unscientific “simplification” of Alberta’s watersheds, combining the major water basins of the Athabasca and the Peace. The current Water Act identifies a rational distinction between the Peace and Athabasca basins in Section 1 of the law. The UCP government has not provided ecological, environmental, sustainability, or economic rationale for this proposed change. By collapsing these two major and distinct watersheds, the government is risking healthy ecosystems, biodiversity, and water sustainability.

 

Lobbying for Changes to Water Management

Within their most recent Lobbyist Registry disclosure, CNRL explicitly states it is currently active in lobbying for Water Act changes that will enhance its competitiveness. The company is currently lobbying Premier Smith, Executive Council, Alberta Energy, Alberta Environment, and the Alberta Energy Regulator.

 

The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), the oil and gas industry lobby front, has been clear they’re lobbying the UCP government to make it easier to move water from different basins for industrial use.

 

In addition, Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz’ husband, Gary Schulz, is a partner at Garrison Strategies, the firm lobbying on behalf of a corporation that is proposing to inject trillions of litres of tailings pond waste into underground wells. Schulz is not listed as a lobbyist on the current Registry disclosure.

Opposition to Bill 7

 

In contrast to the corporate interests lobbying for Water Act and water policy changes, the following groups, nations, and organizations have expressed opposition to Bill 7:

 

 

Public Interest Alberta Responds

“Alberta desperately needs true leadership on sustainable water management for this moment and future generations, but instead we’re getting destructive policies written by corporate lobbyists,” said Bradley Lafortune. “The UCP talks a good game about engaging indigenous communities, first nations, and metis settlements, but the result of Bill 7 tells another story. At Public Interest Alberta, we will always stand with those who understand the true and inherent value of water and who work to defend it for future generations.”