2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY III Message from the Premier Philippe Couillard Québec is fortunate to possess 3% of the world’s fresh water, flowing in the St. Lawrence River and our tens of thousands of streams and lakes. The St. Lawrence is a remarkable river. Together with the watersheds of the Great Lakes, it forms one of the largest waterways on the planet and drains more than 25% of the world’s fresh water reserves. It is inextricably linked to our history and economic development. To preserve this remarkable asset, we have been proactive in passing legislation to protect drinking water sources, control water withdrawals, and conserve wetlands and water. Today, we are taking another step with the release of the 2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy. We are taking action to prevent risks related to water while harnessing its economic potential. The strategy reaffirms the central role that water plays in our lives and sets out the priorities and objectives necessary to ensure its ongoing sustainability. Once again, we are acting in accordance with the sustainability principles Québec adopted under the Sustainable Development Act. The success of this strategy relies very much on our partners, other public organizations, and our citizens. Together, we can make this indispensable collective resource a source of collaboration and development. United around the same issue, we can draw upon the power of our combined ideas to lead this profound societal transformation and reduce the negative impacts associated with climate change. IV Message from the Minister Isabelle Melançon Water is part of Québec’s collective wealth. It has shaped our past and present, and will continue to play a decisive role in our future. It defines our landscapes and influences our social and economic dynamics. Water is the origin of life and the source of our identity. It is therefore with great pride that we present the 2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy. In the face of the challenges we must all tackle together, the strategy will continue pointing the way toward a prosperous, water-friendly future. The result of broad consultation, this new strategy prioritizes meeting the needs of the public. It recommends effective ways to ensure quality water for all Quebecers. Concrete actions are proposed to better prevent and manage water-related risks. It also aims to reconcile the needs of aquatic ecosystems while building on the economic potential of water. The strategy encourages and supports sustainable water use, as well as the acquisition and sharing of knowledge to ensure sustainability. Lastly, it calls for the strengthening of integrated water resources management, a practice already well established in Québec. To properly protect and preserve water, we must develop and use the land sustainably and adapt to the impacts of climate change that also threaten our most important resource. The strategy invites us to work together to protect it so that Québec’s future can be built on this collective treasure and invaluable resource. The 2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy is a tremendous opportunity to join forces and tackle this major societal challenge in order to guarantee a legacy for future generations. Québec’s history was built on our waterways, as our future will be as well—a future of respect and recognition for this precious collective resource.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY V Table of Contents Message from the Premier Philippe Couillard IV Message from the Minister Isabelle Melançon V At the Source 1 Pillars of the Québec Water Strategy 3 Priorities Priority 1 Ensure public access to quality water 10 Priority 2 Protect and restore aquatic environments 20 Priority 3 Better prevent and manage water-related risks 26 Priority 4 Harness the economic potential of water 32 Priority 5 Promote sustainable water use 38 Priority 6 Acquire and share the best knowledge on water 44 Priority 7 Ensure and strengthen integrated water resources management 48 Staying the Course: Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting 53 The Strategy at a Glance 54 Appendices Appendix 1 Integrated Water Management: Roles and Responsibilities 60 Appendix 2 Non-Exhaustive List of Legislation, Regulations, and Policies Related to Water Management 68 Appendix 3 Water Stakeholders 69 Vision In 2030 Québec’s water will be more than ever a source of collective wealth and pride. Informed and committed, the government, its partners, and the public will protect, use, and manage water and aquatic environments in a responsible, integrated, and sustainable manner. At the source Water nourishes Québec’s cultural and collective The Act respecting the conservation of wetlands imagination by virtue of its abundance. Some and bodies of water provides for the conservation, 3.6 million freshwater bodies of water, tens of restoration, and creation of new wetlands to thousands of rivers and streams, and the St. offset unavoidable losses of wetlands and bodies Lawrence River cover an area representing 22% of water. It also supplements the environmental of Québec’s immense territory of 1,667,712 km2, authorization regime Québec adopted the same from the Ottawa River to the Îles de la Madeleine, year when it amended the Environment Quality to the Inuit village of Ivujivik in Nunavik. Act. In an effort to curb the loss of wetlands and bodies of water in Québec and make net gains in Great strides have been made in water this area, the legislation emphasizes the principle governance since the Québec Water Policy was of “no net loss.” published in 2002. The legal framework has been strengthened, first in 2006 with the amendment to the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms affirming the right of every individual to live in a healthy environment that respects biodiversity, then more specifically in 2009 with the adoption of the Act to affirm the collective nature of water resources and to promote better governance of water and associated “ environments (commonly known as the Water Act), and in 2017 with the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water. Our future, and that of all living things on this Earth, The Water Act reaffirms water’s legal status as part of our collective heritage and sets out the is dependent on our ability government’s responsibilities as custodian of the interests of the nation in water resources. The to better manage ” Water Act also establishes a new authorization regime for water withdrawals. It recognizes the our water resources. necessity of meeting the basic needs of the population first and subsequently reconciling the needs of ecosystems and economic activities. HUBERT REEVES

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 1 Integrated water resources management New challenges ahead At the local and regional levels, Québec As a result of these efforts, water quality has implemented the integrated water resources improved over time. However, new issues management process for the watersheds are emerging. We can no longer ignore of southern Québec through watershed the environmental accumulation of new organizations (organismes de bassins versants, contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and or OBVs) and for the St. Lawrence River through plastics. International trade facilitates the spread regional round tables (tables de concertation of invasive alien species. The effects of climate régionales, or TCRs). At this level, integrated change are evident and impact all of Québec, management relies on voluntary participation and from north to south. cooperation by water users to reconcile diverse interests and concerns about water resources The 2014 Rapport sur l’état de l’eau et des and aquatic ecosystems in impacted regions. écosystèmes aquatiques (Report on the State of Water and Aquatic Ecosystems) significantly contributed to efforts to update government guidelines for integrated water resources management. By having a better understanding of the water situation in Québec, the government can more effectively and efficiently guide collective decisions on managing this resource. It is in this context that the 2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy picks up where the Québec Water Policy left off. The strategy is the result of extensive strategic thinking by government that takes all these experiences into account. It is also based on an extensive round of consultations with 140 water organizations across Québec and the comments expressed by some 300 citizens during an online public consultation. It therefore sets forth a unifying vision for 2030, as well as the main priorities that will make it possible to manage Québec’s water resources in an integrated, sustainable, and equitable manner. The strategy will be implemented via three successive action plans. The combined measures in the 2018–2023 Action Plan represent investments of more than $552 million. 2 Pillars of the Québec WATER ACT Water Strategy The Strategy builds on the principles of the 2009 Water Act. In particular, it incorporates three of the fundamental principles of this piece of legislation, namely the collective nature of water resources, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ACT integrated water management at the watershed The Québec Water Strategy takes into account level, and the reconciliation of water uses. the 16 sustainability principles that Québec adopted with the Sustainable Development Act. The collective nature of water resources All of these principles relate directly or indirectly Water is a vital resource that is part of Québec’s to the strategy. Key principles include health and common heritage, and it must be preserved and quality of life, prevention, biodiversity preservation, better managed to meet the needs of present environmental protection, respect for ecosystem and future generations. The State is custodian support capacity, participation and commitment, of the interests of the nation in water resources. economic efficiency, access to knowledge, intergovernmental partnership and cooperation, and responsible production and consumption. Integrated watershed management The strategy tries to strike a balance between The integrated management of water resources the social, environmental, and economic factors and the environments associated with them must underlying these principles. be promoted according to the support capacity of these environments and their watersheds. This is the water management method Québec has chosen. A watershed is an area where all surface water flows naturally to a single point called a “watershed outlet.” This area is physically delimited by a line following the crest of area mountains, hills, and peaks known as the “ridge line” or “watershed line.”

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 3 Reconciling water uses Everyone should have access to water of sufficient relationship with the land and its resources and quality and quantity to meet their basic needs. the knowledge that flows from them. They are This is also a key principle of the Environment invited to play a role in water governance and join Quality Act. Population needs in terms of health, with consultation and consultative organizations sanitation, civil security, and drinking water supply to share their experiences and knowledge and must be prioritized and reconciled with other express their needs. needs such as ecosystem protection, agriculture, the pursuit of traditional Indigenous activities, The commitment and cooperation of other energy production, and industry and tourism. ministries in water management is also essential, particularly for information sharing and coordination of effort. Similarly, the government CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS must act in conjunction with Canadian and Successful implementation of the Québec Water international water management organizations. Strategy depends in part on the commitment It must also continue sharing expertise with and cooperation of partners and the public, on countries and jurisdictions committed to sustainable land use and development, and on improving water management. There are regular adaptation to the impacts of climate change. opportunities for exchange with the federal government, as well as with the neighboring provinces and states with which Québec shares Commitment and cooperation rivers and lakes. This cooperation can result We must all be committed to protecting water. in special agreements. Finally, in the spirit of Every action—even the most basic—taken to Québec’s International Policy, the government protect and conserve drinking water or to promote must take an interest in the multilateral forums best practices can make a real difference and dealing with these issues, particularly at the sub- contribute to the preservation of this precious state level. resource, hence the importance of water governance that directly engages individuals and local decision-making bodies. In Québec, coordination of integrated water resources management is the responsibility of Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC). Integrated water resources management, in particular through watershed organizations and regional round tables, encourages the participation and cooperation of all water stakeholders. It also brings local and regional issues to light. Indigenous communities are key players in integrated management because of the cultural and identity dimensions of their 4 Sustainable land use planning Sustainable land use planning is fundamental to water management in order to maintain water quantity and quality, promote access to water bodies and watercourses, and minimize water- related risks to communities. Municipalities play a critical role in this by preventing conflicts of use through a land use approach Water stakeholders in Québec: and guidelines that better integrate water individuals, municipalities, management considerations. Indigenous communities, organizations and industries, the Southern Québec is characterized by population density and a concentration of different industrial, Government of Québec, other agricultural, and recreational activities. But water provinces, the Government of quality and access issues can limit its potential. Canada, and neighboring states. Conversely, human activity sometimes causes the loss and degradation of wetlands and aquatic habitats, leading to the decline of a number of species. All these factors, not to mention climate change, demonstrate the importance of sustainable land use planning. Photo: Enviro Foto

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 5 Adapting to climate change Climate change is a major challenge for the 21st century. It has and will continue to have serious repercussions for Québec’s water resources. In southern Québec, for example, changes in precipitation influence the timing and intensity of flooding. Also, low water periods (the lowest average annual level of a watercourse) tend to be longer and more pronounced. In northern Québec, precipitation and surface and groundwater flow are disturbed, affecting permafrost integrity, infrastructure, and natural environments. Finally, coastal communities in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence are more vulnerable to erosion and flooding as storms intensify, ice cover decreases, and sea levels rise. 6 The Government has invested over $125 million in the 2013–2020 Climate Change Action Plan to develop knowledge and expertise on the impacts of climate change on water resources and on the prevention and management of water-related natural hazards. It has also established a civil security risk management approach that sets out the key conditions and measures that communities and organizations must implement to better protect people, property, and the environment from disasters. Water issues in the context of climate change will become increasingly important in the future. That is why the government will continue its efforts and investments, including support for the development and implementation of adaptation A 2017 report from the U.S. solutions, as part of the fight against climate National Institute of Building change in Québec for the post-2020 period. Sciences shows that every dollar invested in prevention saves $6 Climate change impacts will intensify. Inaction in damage from disasters. The is not an option, as it will end up costing much Government of Québec recognizes more. Moreover, natural disasters can have the benefits of this approach serious consequences for public safety if land use and intends to share it with the planning and infrastructure do not take climate change into account. Extreme weather events in communities most vulnerable Québec in recent years, such as the 2017 floods, to disasters. have had a significant impact on communities and demonstrate the need to adapt to climate change. Every dollar invested in prevention and adaptation is well spent if it helps us avoid property damage, social and psychological impacts, and the costs involved.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 7 PRIORITIES Québec is custodian of 3% of the world’s fresh water reserves. As such, it must: 1. Ensure public access to quality water 2. Protect and restore aquatic environments 3. Better prevent and manage water-related risks 4. Harness the economic potential of water 5. Promote sustainable water use 6. Acquire and share the best knowledge on water 7. Ensure and strengthen integrated water resources management The government must act in the interests of all its citizens and promote Québec in intergovernmental and international spheres. Drawing on the principles and provisions of the Sustainable Development Act, the founding principles of the Water Act, and the three conditions for success, the Water Strategy sets forth seven principles that will enable the government to assume its water custodian role and mobilize relevant stakeholders. WATER ACT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ACT The collective nature of water resources CONDITIONS Principles Integrated watershed FOR SUCCESS Dimensions management Reconciling water uses Commitment and collaboration ENVIRONMENTAL Sustainable land use and SOCIAL development ECONOMIC Adaptation to climate change USERS 7 p r i o ritie s

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 9 PRIORITY 1 Ensure public access to quality water Drinking water in Québec is generally of very good quality but remains vulnerable to pollution and issues related to climate change. Water is subject to protective measures to ensure quality before it can be used. After use, it must be adequately treated before being released into the environment. Efforts to improve wastewater treatment and drinking water protection, production, and distribution are and must remain top priorities to ensure the health of the population and protect aquatic environments. 10 Objectives Protect community drinking water sources. Ensure access to water of sufficient quality and quantity. Continue to upgrade infrastructure and foster best practices across Québec. Promote the transition toward environmental sustainability and responsibility within agriculture. TARGETS drinking water that meets the highest standards. By 2030, all municipalities in southern Québec will have access to quality By 2030, over 90% of municipalities will meet wastewater treatment standards. In Québec, nearly 70% of the population, or The regulation provides a framework for 5.7 million people, get their drinking water from municipalities to conduct vulnerability analyses surface water (rivers, lakes, or streams). The St. of their drinking water supplies. These analyses Lawrence River, for example, is the water source will serve as a basis for drawing up protection and for 2.5 million people. Groundwater, for its part, emergency plans and amending municipal by- is the source of drinking water for more than laws and development plans, as needed. Having two million Quebecers. It is therefore essential water sources that are of the best possible to ensure that water sources are properly quality drives treatment costs down and protects managed to ensure their protection and long- public health. To help municipalities meet their term sustainability. obligations in this regard, the government will provide technical and financial support to help It is in this context that the Water Withdrawal and municipalities conduct vulnerability analyses of Protection Regulation (WWPR) was adopted in their drinking water sources, especially through 2014. To ensure the protection of drinking water a program to enhance drinking water source sources, the regulation includes a set of some of protection. A specific component of this program the most stringent, scientifically-based provisions will be designed to compensate agricultural to regulate various activities, including oil and gas producers for potential lost income resulting exploration and development. For example, the from measures to protect municipal drinking minimum horizontal separation distance from water sources. a drilling site to any source of drinking water is 500 m and may be increased depending on specific local characteristics. The government also intends to ensure that all oil and gas activities are regulated according to the strictest North America standards in order to protect public health and safety.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 11 Drinking water and small communities Most villages in Nunavik have The popular misconception is that water is so abundant that everyone in Québec has ready drinking water production access to quality water. Unfortunately, some plants, but permafrost limits 100 small communities, some of which have the construction of distribution more fragile economies, experience frequent systems. Water is trucked to or occasional difficulties in securing access to homes, where it is stored in water or in making their water drinkable. This tanks. The Regulation respecting compromises residents’ quality of life and puts the quality of drinking water a strain on the communities’ economic growth. contains specific provisions It is vital to find solutions (technical or otherwise) for monitoring water quality in that are economically suited to the realities of all these communities and carrying communities, including those in the North. The government will identify alternatives to ensure an out infrastructure projects. The adequate supply of drinking water, particularly for government also supports the communities with small distribution systems and purchase of equipment. Ministère inadequate water quality for which conventional du Développement durable, de solutions are not feasible. l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC) works with the Kativik Regional Government to monitor compliance with regulatory requirements in the 14 northern villages. In addition, the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee, an organization composed of members appointed by the Kativik Regional Government, the Government of Québec, and the Government of Canada, works to help communities maintain the quality of drinking water stored in residential tanks in Nunavik. 12 Drinking water and individual wells About one million people rely on individual wells The design and repair of drinking water distribution for their drinking water. Like all water intended systems must also be properly supervised and for human consumption, well water must be of take into account technological advances in order good quality and meet the standards set out in to make them easier to operate and extend their the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking lifespan. The government will examine the best water. Well owners must therefore be educated solutions to improve treatment facility design about the importance of maintaining the quality and operation. of the water they consume and informed of any issues specific to their region and the necessary precautions they must take. Although there is no regulatory requirement to test water from individual wells, homeowners must ensure that they provide good quality drinking water to their families and visitors. The government will raise public awareness of the importance of testing well water. Upgrading infrastructure and fostering best practices Québec has stringent drinking Surface water provided by municipalities must water requirements in place to be treated before being made available to the reduce the risk of contamination, public for consumption. Some facilities will which can be harmful to human require additional treatment equipment in the health (e.g., cause gastroenteritis). coming years, while others will require remedial Millions of drinking water test work. Since 2001, municipalities have had to results show that the water make the required investments themselves. The distributed in the province is Government of Québec, through its Québec Infrastructure Plan, offers financial assistance generally of superior quality. programs to maintain basic municipal services However, samples sometimes for residents, improve the quality of life in exceed prescribed standards. communities, and protect the environment. When a quality standard is exceeded, water system managers In addition to efficient and compliant treatment are duty-bound to respond quickly, facilities, it is important to ensure that distribution take measures to protect the health systems are properly designed and operated. of the people they serve (e.g., by Treatment facilities also need qualified operators issuing a boil water advisory), and to function properly. The vast majority of remedy the situation. Indigenous communities in southern Québec have a drinking water distribution system. Although these communities are not subject to the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, the Government of Québec works with them and Health Canada to promote the exchange of information and provide technical support and training to water system operators in these communities.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 13 Continued efforts to clean up Protecting water against pollution municipal wastewater It is essential that water be managed properly Domestic wastewater is water from toilets and to protect public health, preserve watercourses, gray water (kitchen, bathroom, laundry, etc.). In and protect the environment. Over the past few community and municipal sewage systems, it decades, Québec has made significant efforts to may be combined with industrial waste. Direct respond to situations involving the poor quality of contact with or ingestion of contaminated water water discharged into the environment, such as can be harmful to human health. Reduction of lake eutrophication, blue-green algae blooms, the domestic wastewater contaminants at the source decline of certain wildlife and plant species, the is therefore one way to improve water quality. loss of wetlands and water bodies, the presence of pesticides and contaminants, shoreline and The majority of municipalities have systems in agricultural soil erosion, and conflicts of use. place to treat water before it is discharged into Despite these efforts, preserving water, aquatic the environment. Major wastewater treatment ecosystems, and biodiversity remains an ongoing programs implemented since the 1980s have challenge. The government will exercise greater led to the construction of some 900 treatment control over the discharge of untreated water to plants and a significant improvement in water reduce its impact on the environment. quality over this period. However, some 100 small municipalities do not have treatment plants or do only basic treatment before discharging minimally treated wastewater into the environment. Although these municipalities represent less than 1% of Québec’s population, the Regulation respecting municipal wastewater treatment facilities, adopted in December 2013, will help remedy these situations. 14 A greener agricultural sector However, efforts must continue for homes and Québec farmlands are vital to community cottages equipped with individual wastewater development. However, farming activity is not treatment systems that may affect the quality without risk for water. Monitoring water quality of groundwater or surface water. Wastewater and improving knowledge and practices will from isolated dwellings can also pose significant reduce adverse environmental effects. risks to human health and the environment if not properly treated. To prevent these Since the early 1980s, financial support risks, the Regulation respecting waste water programs and new regulations have fostered disposal systems for isolated dwellings governs progress and helped mitigate the impacts of the design, construction, and operation of the agricultural sector on water and aquatic treatment systems for isolated residences. The environments. Conscious of its footprint, the government will develop tools to support this agricultural community has begun to adopt regulatory framework. an agri-environmental approach based on sustainable development. These efforts must Wastewater overflow management continue because many watersheds have been A number of wastewater overflows occur every degraded, particularly in areas where farming is year, generally due to rain or snowmelt. Some concentrated. Nonpoint and point source pollution are caused by upgrade, repair, or maintenance of watercourses and groundwater by fertilizers work on municipal wastewater infrastructure. For (e.g. phosphorus and nitrogen) and pesticides is this reason, the Regulation respecting municipal still a concern. Efforts will be made to promote wastewater treatment works aims to improve the cooperation between agri-environmental experts quality of water discharged by municipalities and and stakeholders to ensure that water quality is control wastewater overflows. Given the scope sufficient to protect aquatic ecosystems while of the work required to meet the objectives and preserving its multiple uses. the new discharge and overflow standards, and to stay within budget, the regulation lays the The use of high-risk pesticides in farming groundwork for efforts in the area of municipal remains an issue in certain regions where they wastewater management for the next 30 are detected in watercourses year after year. years. Depending on the level of risk identified, The Québec Pesticide Strategy sets out new wastewater treatment plants that do not currently requirements to encourage farmers to work meet the performance standards will have until with agronomists and limit the use of these 2040 to do so. Consequently, all municipal pesticides. The government will finalize the facilities should meet wastewater treatment measures proposed in the strategy, including standards by 2040. modernizing the Pesticides Act, increasing the number of active ingredients banned in urban Investments will still be needed to reduce municipal areas, and curbing the use of high-risk pesticides pollution. Proper rainwater management will also at the golf courses that use them most. The use help with better overflow control, particularly in of economic instruments is one of the avenues the context of climate change. Efforts to reduce to be explored for financing measures that would wastewater pollution will generate a number of promote the reduction of high-risk pesticides and environmental, societal, and economic benefits. the acquisition of knowledge, such as funding With a view to continuous improvement in water for programs to monitor pesticides in surface resources management, the government will and ground waters. The government intends develop tools to guide the municipal sector in to follow up the Québec Pesticide Strategy adopting practices conducive to stormwater with subsequent strategies to further reduce management and wastewater overflow control. pesticide use. Targets for the next strategy will be established based on results from the 2011–2021 Québec Agricultural Phytosanitary Strategy, the 2015–2018 Québec Pesticide

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 15 More environmentally responsible industrial sectors Strategy, and the monitoring of pesticides Industrial pollution in watercourses has decreased in water. Expansion of the list of pesticides considerably since the 1970s. These gains covered by the current regulations will also be are mainly attributable to tighter regulations considered. Between now and 2030, health and in certain industrial sectors, reclamation of environmental risk indicators and monitoring abandoned mining sites, and implementation of pesticides in surface water will be used to of the Programme d’assainissement des eaux assess government efforts to reduce pesticides du Québec (Québec Clean Water Program), the by measuring significant reductions in risk indices Programme de réduction des rejets industriels and in the presence of initially targeted pesticides (Industrial Discharge Reduction Program), and (e.g., atrazine, chlorpyrifos, and neonicotinoids) the St. Lawrence Action Plan. in watercourses. Gains will be made in this area as new knowledge The impacts of climate change are increasingly emerges and clean technologies are developed. obvious in agriculture. For example, new crop More and more consumers and shareholders are pests have emerged, which tends to encourage concerned about the environmental footprint of greater use of pesticides. Climate change can the industries they deal with. Companies that affect water levels and increase dry periods invest in water management and sound waste and the duration of low-water periods, limiting management can gain an edge by differentiating the quantity and quality of water available for themselves in an economy where the future crop irrigation. Conversely, periods of higher depends on environmental sustainability. precipitation can occur and affect crop yields. Farmland must therefore be managed in a The regulation of practices in key industrial sustainable manner to promote adaptation sectors must better address new environmental to climate change and integrated watershed problems such as adaptation to climate change. management. The government intends to The government will therefore continue to evaluate strengthen measures fostering climate change best practices to be implemented to promote resilience in the agricultural sector, in particular better water management in the industrial sector. by taking pesticides and their effects into account in projects related to watersheds and by implementing solutions to reduce soil erosion and strengthen riparian strips. 16 Adopting an approach adapted to degraded watersheds Over the years, surface water quality appears to The industrial sector is also required to reduce have deteriorated as a result of industrialization, phosphorus discharges according to the capacity urbanization, intensification of agricultural of the receiving environment. For example, the activities, cottaging, and the absence or Industrial Discharge Reduction Program aims to inadequacy of certain wastewater treatment gradually reduce the discharge of contaminants— systems. Major strides have been made in phosphorus in particular—by big industry. the agricultural, industrial, and municipal sectors, but water quality remains an issue in Since there are multiple sources of phosphorus, some watersheds. the multisectoral approach must be strengthened in order to identify the actions that will have Municipalities located in the watersheds of rivers the greatest impact in degraded watersheds whose phosphorus carrying capacity has been and make further environmental gains. Other exceeded are designated in the Agricultural jurisdictions, particularly in North America and Operations Regulation. Special measures Europe, have adopted similar approaches limiting phosphorus losses apply to farms in that have paid off in areas targeted for special these municipalities. For the aquaculture sector, intervention. In keeping with this approach, the specific environmental requirements have been government will ensure that planning tools and developed based on the receiving environments, recognized best practices are better integrated including watersheds with a phosphorus surplus. and adapted to the regions concerned. These municipalities must also comply with the government’s new discharge requirements. The affected watersheds are given special attention, in particular to control phosphorus inputs from various sectors of activity and sustain progress. Photo: Enviro Foto

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 17 18 Our actions matter more than we think. Together, we can conserve water through small everyday gestures: • Collecting rainwater to water the flowers • Turning off the tap when we brush our teeth • Filling the dishwasher completely before running it • Choosing low-flow toilets to reduce the amount of water we use We can limit water contamination by making wise choices: • Choosing products without plastic microbeads • Using green cleaning products • Returning expired or unused medications to the pharmacy • Disposing of household hazardous waste (oils, paints, etc.) at ecocenters. • Opting for organic garden fertilizers • Reducing the use and disposal of single-use plastics (bags, straws, bottles, etc.) Remember: Everything we pour down the drain or flush down the toilet goes directly into wastewater that must be treated.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 19 PRIORITY 2 Protect and restore aquatic environments Aquatic environments—which include wetland, water, and marine environments—provide valuable services to Quebecers. They also support economic and traditional Indigenous activities such as fishing, aquaculture, and recreational tourism. They contribute to the quality of living environments by maintaining biodiversity and health through water quality, and safety through flood control. Aquatic environments thus fulfill valuable ecological functions. It always costs more to restore or compensate for the loss of aquatic environments and their functions than it does to protect them. It is important to look beyond the short term: The protection of aquatic environments is both a necessity and a long-term investment for Québec. 20 Objectives Conserve and restore aquatic environments. Protect species at risk. Expand the network of aquatic protected areas. Promote the control of invasive alien species. TARGET bodies By 2030, there will have been no net loss of wetlands and water bodies in Québec since the adoption of the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and of water in 2017. Aquatic environments make a valuable Biodiversity, a contraction of contribution to everyone’s well-being because “biological diversity,” refers to all of the ecological services they provide. These living beings (all species, from services, which may sometimes seem intangible, the microscopic to the very large) are the chemical, physical, and biological that live and evolve in a particular functions and activities that take place in these ecosystems and that are of benefit to humans. environment. In its broadest sense, For example, wetlands such as peatlands biodiversity is synonymous with “life sequester greenhouse gases (GHGs) over the on Earth.” long term, marshlands limit the risk of flooding, bogs filter water, and lakes and rivers are used An ecosystem includes living for recreation and traditional Indigenous activities. things and the natural environment Aquatic environments also support an important in which they live, as well as the part of Québec’s economy. In return, economic interactions they have with each development projects must be designed to limit other and with the environment. their impact on natural environments and help maintain ecological services and biodiversity. An ecosystem contains living Protecting all types of aquatic environments things such as animals, plants, will help preserve the functions essential to and organisms as well as non- biodiversity and our collective well-being. living things. Lakes, peatlands, and forests are examples of ecosystems. Photo: Isabelle Simard

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 21 Conserving Québec’s wetlands and water bodies Urban sprawl and human activity have altered, 2018, addresses these objectives by introducing fragmented, and destroyed numerous aquatic provisions for the protection of wetlands and ecosystems and caused the decline of many riparian areas. Another noteworthy advance species. In addition, anthropogenic pressure was the adoption in 2017 of the Act respecting (caused by human activity) from various the conservation of wetlands and bodies of sources, such as the establishment and spread water, which recognizes the essential functions of invasive alien species, the proliferation of of wetlands and is a decisive step toward their cyanobacteria, and the eutrophication of lakes, protection and restoration. The law sets a no-net- throws ecosystems out of balance, and fosters loss objective for these environments. Thus, their phenomena that harm the quality and integrity destruction is now limited to exceptional cases of aquatic environments. Wetlands and water and unavoidable losses are offset by restoration bodies cover much of northern Québec. The or by the creation of an equivalent environment. quality of these environments remains a major The law also reasserts the pivotal role that concern because of the many health and other municipalities can play in conserving biodiversity benefits they bring to communities. within their boundaries. The Act makes regional county municipalities (RCMs) responsible for Certain little-known problems are emerging and implementing regional wetland and water body will require action. For example, the accumulation plans to better take into account issues related of plastic in Québec’s ecosystems is a problem to these environments at the regional level. It also of increasing magnitude whose impacts must delegates management of restoration programs be assessed. There are many challenges ahead, offsetting unavoidable wetland and water body particularly in southern Québec, home to more losses to RCMs that so wish. The government will than 80% of Québec’s population. provide financial support and guidance to RCMs so that they can implement their plans by 2022. The government is committed to developing more tools to establish and meet ambitious water resource protection objectives and to more easily reconcile different forms of land use with the protection of aquatic environments. For example, the Sustainable Forest Management Strategy published in 2015 includes clear objectives for protecting and enhancing aquatic resources in forest environments. The Regulation respecting standards of forest management for forests in the domain of the State, in force since Photo: Jean Lemire 22 The Québec government is also very active with respect to protected areas. It has made a clear commitment to Québec, Canada, and the world: to protect 17% of Québec (terrestrial and aquatic environments) by 2020. This network of protected areas, which continues to grow, will ensure the protection of several major rivers and their watersheds as well as a multitude of other The Strategic Plan for Biological aquatic environments across Québec. Diversity 2011–2020 comprises the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Conserving the marine environment which were adopted by numerous Québec’s marine environment is exceptionally countries under the Convention rich from a biological standpoint. Furthermore, on Biological Diversity in 2010. the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence are Aichi Target 11 specifies that, by of particular economic, social, and cultural 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial importance to coastal communities. This is and inland water areas and 10% especially true for Indigenous communities that of coastal and marine areas are fish and hunt (activities intrinsically linked to conserved through effectively and aquatic environments) to feed themselves and their families. equitably managed, ecologically representative, and well- connected systems of protected However, like wetlands and water bodies, the ecological health of the St. Lawrence is under areas and other effective area- intense pressure that needs to be reduced. Water based conservation measures, quality at lower depths is deteriorating, causing and integrated into the wider acidification and oxygen depletion and reducing landscape and seascape. Québec some species’ ability to reproduce and live there. is committed to the principles In the context of climate change, this pressure and objectives of this convention will increase, testing the resilience of marine life. and is working to achieve the Aichi Targets. In its Maritime Strategy, Québec committed to protecting at least 10% of its marine environment (St. Lawrence Estuary, Gulf of St. Lawrence, and northern coastal waters) by establishing a network of marine protected areas by 2020. In

2018 Québec signed a cooperation agreement with the Government of Canada to establish this network. These multifaceted initiatives contribute to the achievement of Québec’s objectives and stem from international commitments in the area of biological diversity.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 23 Protecting threatened and vulnerable species Invasive alien species Québec’s aquatic environments are rich in The introduction and spread of invasive alien biodiversity, but a number of species are species threatens the integrity of Québec’s threatened or vulnerable. These species (also aquatic and riparian environments and the uses known as at-risk species) are more sensitive and associated with them due to negative impacts vulnerable to the disappearance or disruption on the environment, the economy, and society. of their environment. Urbanization and the While it is essential to restore or maintain natural exploitation of natural environments cause links between aquatic and riparian environments, habitat loss and fragmentation and threaten these it is equally important to protect our waters from fragile populations. These threats are likely to be the arrival of certain invasive alien species such exacerbated by climate change, which is already as the Asian carp, water chestnut, and common altering environmental conditions. Preserving the reed. Prevention, control, and eradication biodiversity of aquatic environments is essential of these species requires early detection, and will be based on measures designed to protect knowledge acquisition, and cooperation among species and, more particularly, their habitats. stakeholders. New technologies such as mobile apps will continue being used to allow citizens In Québec, the conservation of threatened to play an active role in prevention (participatory and vulnerable species is regulated by legal science), to identify undesirable species, to issue protections based on their status, but also by alerts when they are identified, and to document the designation of certain protected habitats their presence. (e.g., protection of certain wildlife habitats under the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife). Some species benefit from recovery plans containing measures to restore target populations to the greatest extent possible. For aquatic wildlife, habitats (e.g., fish habitats) can be designated, which allows the government to impose certain conditions before authorizing projects in these environments. For example, habitat damage may need to be offset by environmental restoration. Other means of protection exist to ensure the conservation of sensitive habitats and populations, such as the designation of “wildlife sites of interest.” The government and its partners will continue to develop and implement protective measures, particularly those established under the administrative agreement for the protection of threatened or vulnerable wildlife and plant species and other elements of biodiversity in Québec forests. 24 Asian carp are fish originating from the great rivers of Asia. Unfortunately, certain characteristics of the St. Lawrence River make it vulnerable to the establishment of this invasive species. Québec has been preparing for the carp’s arrival since 2016 through the various phases of the Québec Program to Fight Asian Carp. Asian carp generally grow quickly and have a voracious appetite and feeding habits that can severely damage and disturb aquatic ecosystems and degrade water quality. Their presence in the St. Lawrence River could have a significant impact on tourism, recreational boating, waterfront property values, safety, and public health. Therefore, live Asian carp should not be purchased, stocked, or kept in captivity. It is illegal to possess live Asian carp or use them as bait.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 25 PRIORITY 3 Better prevent and manage water-related risks Like other societies around the world, Québec is already feeling the impacts of climate change on its water resources. Changes in the hydrologic regime due to climate change increase the risk of flooding, erosion, and surface water contamination from stormwater runoff (e.g., sewer overflows), pose a threat to public health and safety, and generate significant costs. These risks must therefore be prevented and managed. Lakes, rivers, and other waterways such as the St. Lawrence River also drive various industries and are critical to economic development. Climate change and the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are likely to have a negative impact on these sectors. 26 Objectives Integrate climate change more effectively into water-related risk management. Improve tools for forecasting and preventing water-related risks. Modernize dam management. TARGET Byprepared 2030, all Québec municipalities will have identified their vulnerabilities and be for water-related natural disasters. Climate change is causing changes in the surface for financial support to municipalities to improve water flow regime, primarily from increasingly disaster preparedness, including development intense extreme weather events (torrential rains, of special flood response plans. Through severe thunderstorms, coastal storms), which these initiatives, the government will step up increase the risk of flooding, shoreline erosion, flood preparedness and prevention, develop a and sewer overflows. Similarly, rising sea levels new approach to recovery management, and combined with changing storm patterns can implement more advanced civil security practices. increase coastal erosion problems in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Ice jams cause water to back up and can generate a strong flood wave downstream when Water-related natural hazards they break apart. Ice jams are quite common in A large part of the population lives near the St. Québec and are relatively unpredictable because Lawrence River and other bodies of water. This they don’t form every year or in the same place means that many homes are built in high-risk and can also vary considerably in size. Since (particularly flood-prone) areas. Climate change climate change will likely have an impact on ice may increase the frequency and intensity of flow formation, research will continue to better flood events, which require significant human, determine what the effects will be logistical, and economic resources and measures to restore order and provide support to victims. . Municipalities are responsible for civil protection planning on their territory. Adopted in 2018, the Règlement sur les procédures d’alerte et de mobilisation et les moyens de secours minimaux pour protéger la sécurité des personnes et des biens en cas de sinistre (Regulation respecting alert and mobilization procedures and minimum emergency measures to protect the safety of persons and property in the event of a disaster) sets out certain municipal obligations and applicable procedures so that municipalities can deal with anticipated or actual emergencies. The Plan d’action en matière de sécurité civile relatif Photo: Enviro Foto aux inondations (Flood Action Plan) issued by Ministère de la Sécurité publique also provides

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 27 Climate change also affects shorelines and coastlines. In eastern Québec, coastal municipalities and Indigenous communities are struggling with submersion and coastal erosion due in part to reduced winter ice cover and rising sea levels. In addition, most municipalities and provincial highways are located near the Estuary A floodplain is an area subject to and Gulf of St. Lawrence. Yet the Protection flooding when a stream or river Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains is designed primarily for inland overflows its banks. There are three waterways; it must therefore be adapted to the main types of floods: coastal environment. Inland rivers are not immune to erosion. With increasing flows, many rivers • Open water floods, which are caused pose flooding and erosion risks that are a threat exclusively by an increase in the to people, property, and infrastructure. volume of water in a river In northern Québec, infrastructure in permafrost • Ice jam floods, which occur when ice zones and coastal areas is particularly vulnerable or debris builds up on a section of river to the impacts of climate change. A number of and prevents water from flowing freely, projects have been carried out to date, notably causing it to back up and overflow under the 2013–2020 Climate Change Action Plan. These efforts aim to monitor permafrost • Submersion floods, which occur in conditions and risks to transportation coastal areas due to a combination of infrastructure in these areas, as well as to track, marine phenomena (high tides, storms, analyze, and model changes in shore ice and winds, etc.) wave conditions in Nunavik. We will continue to develop knowledge and know-how, particularly through projects related to the Plan Nord, in order to contribute to the sustainable development of the North. Risk prevention through sustainable land use planning Prevention is the best approach to minimizing flood-related impacts. To that end, the government intends to produce better large- scale maps. In partnership and in tandem with other government initiatives, the INFO-Crue project will identify and delineate floodplains, especially in southern Québec. Analyzed in the context of climate change, the maps produced by INFO-Crue will provide an idea of the size of these areas in coming years. INFO-Crue will also help us forecast flood zones and show their size in real time. The tool will help inform land-use planning decisions and limit new construction in flood-prone areas. 28 Role of dams To reduce risks and ensure the safety of people Retaining structures such as dams can meet and property, Ministère de la Sécurité publique many needs, including water supply, navigation, also produces maps of areas prone to coastal power generation, recreation and tourism, and erosion and landslides along the Estuary and Gulf wildlife conservation and enhancement. Some of St. Lawrence. The maps identify areas where dams help attenuate flood flow and thus provide the regulatory framework for the control of land a certain level of protection to people and use should apply. property downstream. Some 40 of Québec’s dams are operated by MDDELCC in real time Land use planning decisions can amplify natural (24 hours a day), primarily for the purpose of phenomena such as flooding and erosion or, flood control, but also to satisfy other users and conversely, lead to better prevention and risk uses. The purpose of Québec’s Dam Safety Act, management. By virtue of their responsibilities, which applies to over 5,900 dams, is to increase municipal and regional authorities are key the safety of the dams that are subject to the players in ensuring sustainable access to Act and thereby protect persons and property water resources. The overhaul of government against the risks associated with the presence land use planning priorities aims to ensure of dams. The Act requires that owners of high- water governance at different levels of regional capacity dams routinely verify that the structures planning. The vulnerability of water resources, comply with the standards and rules in force, especially in relation to climate change and carry out regular monitoring, and obtain prior usage conflicts, should be taken into greater authorization for certain work. The government account in municipal planning tools, as should will continue to modernize dam governance to biodiversity conservation. improve its methods and will initiate a broader reconsideration of its dam management practices Adapting protective structures and restoring and procedures. shoreline and marshes that can absorb water and mitigate heavy flooding are some of the ways in which land can be developed to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion. In order to progress further in land use planning, the government will adapt its approach, notably by updating the Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 29 Rainwater The sponge city concept is a perfect Land use planning has a significant influence on example of sustainable land use, the quantity and quality of stormwater (rainwater adaptation to climate change, innovation, or snowmelt) that is often discharged directly and risk management through better into watercourses and bodies of water. Taking water management. stormwater into account in the land use planning process allows us to identify the best solutions to minimize its impact. Deforestation, drainage Sponge neighborhoods or sponge cities system development, soil compaction and imitate nature by establishing urban grading, loss of wetlands, and the addition of wetlands that can absorb flood waters and impermeable surfaces can all modify the flow runoff in situ, without drainage pipes. Some regime and level of stormwater contamination. neighborhoods do not even have drainage pipes; instead, strips of vegetation line In urban areas, sewer overflows caused by sidewalks and streets. precipitation are an increasingly common water quality issue. These events are further amplified When covered with suitable vegetation, by increased precipitation due to climate change. We must rethink the way in which development these floodplain areas reduce the risk of is carried out to better manage rainwater. Land neighborhood flooding and provide natural planning and management tools will be adapted air conditioning. Unlike paved areas, which to better manage these waters. form urban heat islands, these wetlands cool ambient air as the water they contain evaporates. Green roofs help cool and manage water by capturing rain, and the overflow can be used to water green spaces or community gardens. 30 Environmental and human health and safety In order to conserve Québec’s The health and quality of life of the population water resources for present and are key factors in decisions regarding water future generations, effective management and aquatic ecosystem protection. measures are needed to protect Environmental health is the prevention and these resources and respond in management of human health problems related the event of an emergency. Any to environmental pollution or deterioration. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux sudden situation that affects or (MSSS), regional public health departments, and threatens to affect the quality of the Institut national de santé publique du Québec water (air and soil) and requires an work with MDDELCC and other relevant bodies immediate response is considered to prevent and manage health problems related to an environmental emergency. drinking water and recreational water quality and disseminate information to the public on these Urgence-Environnement is issues. Efforts will continue to raise awareness on MDDELCC’s permanent emergency water-related health issues, especially measures response structure. Its regional that can be taken to reduce risks. teams are prepared to respond to environmental emergencies anywhere, anytime.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 31 PRIORITY 4 Harness the economic potential of water With its water resources and expertise, Québec is well positioned to develop water-related activities, products, markets, and technologies. It must promote a cleaner, greener economy that fosters job creation, innovation, and regional growth while at the same time safeguarding the well-being of the population and aquatic environments. Partnerships between water research centers and entrepreneurs in Québec should also be promoted to develop innovations capitalizing on this renewable but fragile resource. 32 Objectives Develop sustainable economic activity related to water. Encourage application of the highest environmental standards in commercial shipping. Support the development of water-related technologies. Promote access to water bodies and watercourses TARGET the Québec economy will have increased. By 2030, the water sector’s share of Water is a sustainably manageable resource. It is a source of raw energy that Québec has successfully developed throughout its history. Hydropower production has contributed significantly to Québec’s economic and social development. In addition to generating significant collective wealth and supporting thousands of jobs, hydropower offers numerous development opportunities for Québec in the global context of the fight against climate change as a form of renewable energy with very low greenhouse gas emissions. Many other sectors depend on water, including the maritime, recreation and tourism, bio-food, paper manufacturing, and mining industries. The Maritime Strategy focuses on the economic potential of water and aims to promote sustainable growth of the maritime economy while protecting the integrity of river and marine ecosystems and improving the well-being of communities located in Québec’s maritime regions. Water—by its quality, quantity, energy, and the services it provides through aquatic ecosystems—is essential to today’s economy and tomorrow’s development. Photo: Port de Montréal

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 33 Recreation and tourism development Québec’s regions have rivers and lakes of remarkable beauty that deserve to be enjoyed and enhanced. Recreation and tourism is a way to promote sustainable activities, as in the Stratégie de mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent touristique 2014–2020 (the tourism component of the Québec Maritime Strategy), which aims to make the St. Lawrence a world-class tourism destination generating considerable economic benefits. The promotion of international cruises Hydropower has been a on the St. Lawrence has given thousands of cornerstone of Québec’s international visitors an opportunity to discover Québec’s myriad tourist attractions. Efforts socioeconomic development under the Maritime Strategy and other initiatives since Hydro-Québec was created will continue to further develop water-related in 1944. It involves research and recreation and tourism. innovation, low-cost electricity distribution across our grid, and the development of new markets, and also supports thousands of jobs, particularly in rural areas. It is a clean, renewable form of energy and represents almost all of Québec’s electricity production. GHG emissions from this sector represent less than 1% of the province’s total emissions. Hydroelectricity is used to promote There are over 200 marinas in Québec, and boating is a the development of products favorite leisure activity among Quebecers. With its nine with a low carbon footprint and ports of call, the St. Lawrence is also a major attraction for attract companies and industries international cruise passengers. Every year, some looking to leverage these benefits 350,000 visitors travel the mighty St. Lawrence River, and our extensive expertise. The which was designated a historic site in 2017 under the electrification of transportation by Cultural Heritage Act. replacing oil with hydropower is another way forward in the fight against climate change. 34 Access to water bodies and watercourses Access to bodies of water in Québec is sometimes Sport fishing is another popular recreational restricted or impossible, due in large part to the activity on Québec’s lakes and rivers. According private ownership of waterfront properties—a to data from Ministère de la Forêt, de la Faune situation difficult to reconcile with sustainable and et des Parcs (MFFP), this industry generates inclusive recreation and tourism. Most of Québec’s annual expenditures of over $1 billion and watercourses are water property in the domain of supports over 8,600 full-time jobs. Sport fishing, the State whose integrity is protected under the particularly on the St. Lawrence, has significant Watercourses Act and the Regulation respecting untapped potential because of the diversity of the water property in the domain of the State. fish species and proximity of urban centers. We Gaining a better understanding of waterfront must promote sport fishing and foster related land use and establishing priorities to regulate it, initiatives, such as the protection of fish habitats, especially uses that improve access to Québec’s species reintroduction, and recovery of at-risk bodies of water, are among the key concerns species. Promotion of sport fishing and other that must guide the management of water as a recreational and tourism activities is one of the natural resource. The overhaul of government avenues envisaged for developing a water- land use planning policies is specifically aimed based economy. at promoting better public access to water. The government will also review the regulatory . framework governing water property in the domain of the State in an effort to reconcile the economic, social, and environmental uses. Water property in the domain of the State includes the natural beds of most lakes and watercourses in Québec. MDDELCC is responsible for protecting the integrity of this property. Accordingly, it carries out tasks inherent to its management role, mainly leasing and selling backfilled parcels, issuing permits, and granting other forms of occupancy rights. Photo: Enviro Foto

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 35 Commercial fishing and aquaculture Maritime transport Aquaculture can be a catalyst for development in As a vital transportation corridor and sustainable rural areas when sustainably managed according mobility option that emits fewer GHGs than to best environmental protection practices and ground transportation, the St. Lawrence River is in harmony with other water uses. Fish farming a major driver of socioeconomic development. for human consumption meets only a fraction Environmental practices in the maritime transport of the demand in the Québec market, which industry have undergone a major shift and is currently dominated by imports. Measures continue to evolve. The government supports under the sustainable development strategy these efforts to prioritize maritime transport for freshwater aquaculture have reduced over road transport, increase energy efficiency, phosphorus emissions from this sector by 40% and reduce GHG emissions in this sector. in recent years. The growth potential of Québec’s Québec’s maritime industry has also adopted the commercial fisheries and aquaculture industry is voluntary Green Marine program, under which considerable and is based on recent advances participating maritime companies in Canada and in marine biotechnology. However, continued the United States are committed to reducing knowledge acquisition and innovation is required their environmental footprint through concrete, in order to reconcile aquaculture development measurable action. The industry has also adopted with the protection of the aquatic environment. a voluntary measure to reduce ship speeds on The government will support innovation in this certain sections of the St. Lawrence River in order sector, particularly the design and development to mitigate shoreline erosion caused by wave of new products and processes, and continue to action. In addition, a Navigation Coordination encourage aquaculture businesses in their efforts Committee made up of representatives from to reduce their environmental footprint. the maritime industry, the environmental sector, the governments of Québec and Canada, and civil society is working to reconcile commercial navigation and recreational boating with the need to protect water resources. Photo: Enviro Foto 36 Québec benefits from the development of these research centers and businesses in order efficient, safe, and environmentally- and user- to maximize the impact of innovations and boost friendly maritime transport. But vigilance is competitiveness at home and abroad. necessary, especially given the increase in ship traffic. Shoreline erosion due to ship-generated The marine biotech sector shows strong waves, the protection of marine mammals, the economic potential, as do markets for drinking introduction of invasive alien species, and the water production and distribution technologies risk of hazardous material spills pose significant and new wastewater treatment technologies. challenges. These challenges will also increase One of the objectives of the Government in northern regions, where ecosystems are Sustainable Development Strategy 2015–2020 particularly vulnerable. Ensuring ecosystem is to promote clean technologies in the water and water protection, the safety of people and sector among ministries and agencies. The ships, and the harmonization of uses requires development of water-related technologies will be everybody’s input, including coastal communities supported by encouraging technology purchases and consultative organizations. These principles by government, private companies, and the are cornerstones of the second Sustainable general public. Navigation Strategy. Potential of water-related technologies More and more research is being done in the water sector, where Québec has developed special expertise. Québec boasts tremendous assets for positioning itself as a key player in the water technology sector, including a diverse array of surface waters (St. Lawrence River, lakes and rivers, and ocean waters in the north), strict environmental regulations, advanced industrial expertise, and a strong university research network. Québec is home to many research centers specializing in water. The government will work to ramp up collaboration between Photo: Enviro Foto

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 37 PRIORITY 5 Promote sustainable water use The availability of water poses a challenge even in Québec, where it is unevenly distributed across the province. The apparent abundance of water can be misleading. Water is a fragile resource that must be protected and conserved. Changes in behavior and the adoption of best practices in sustainable water use will prevent shortages, reduce pollution, and cut costs associated with water treatment, as well as preserve aquatic environments. 38 Objectives Encourage the development and adoption of sustainable water use and conservation practices. Promote the reduced use and elimination of single-use plastics. TARGET byBy20% 2025, Québec will have reduced its water consumption compared to 2015. “ Quebecers perceive water as being easily accessible, abundant, inexpensive, and inexhaustible, so they tend to use it carelessly, which is why sustainable water use practices Without water, there would be have been slow to take root in Québec. Yet water requires complex treatment systems. Tap nothing: no clouds to drink from water from a water source must be pumped, stored, and treated before being distributed. the oceans and irrigate the land, no Water is also lost through leaks and breaks in supply and distribution systems that ultimately climate, and no life as we know it, need to be repaired. Municipalities use property spawned by and adapted to ” taxes to cover these costs. We need to invest in and encourage people to adopt best practices (which often take the form of simple actions) to this vital resource. limit the major financial repercussions associated with water shortages and treatment and ensure an adequate water supply across Québec, now JEAN LEMIRE and in the future.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 39 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a minimum of 20 liters of water per person per day is needed to meet basic hydration and hygiene needs, Water withdrawals 50 liters to live decently, and Municipalities withdraw the most water for 100 liters to be truly comfortable. distribution purposes, so this is where most water conservation efforts have been focused in recent years. Launched in 2011, the Québec Strategy Yet Quebecers consume more than for Drinking Water Conservation has produced 570 liters of drinking water per day encouraging results by fostering a reduction in on average (2015), compared to water consumption per person and boosting daily consumption of 447 liters efforts to limit leaks in drinking water distribution for Canada as a whole and systems. This resulted in a 26% reduction in the 370 liters for Ontario. In France amount of water distributed per person per day and the United Kingdom, average between 2001 and 2015. water consumption per person per day is 130 to 160 liters. Photo: Jean Lemire 40 Water around the world • Water shortages affect four out of ten people in the world. • In addition: ›› 3.6 billion people, half the world’s population, live in areas where water is scarce for at least one month a year. ›› 2.1 billion people lack access to safely managed drinking water services. ›› 4.5 billion people lack safely managed sanitation services. ›› 80% of wastewater returns to the ecosystem without being treated or reused. ›› 340,000 children under age five die each year from diarrhoeal disease. • Agriculture accounts for 70% of the world’s water withdrawals. • Water management is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals adopted by UN member countries and states—a goal to which Québec has voiced its commitment.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 41 As custodian of 3% of the world’s fresh water reserves, Québec must show international leadership in growth sectors. Industrial water withdrawals are better documented because this sector is subject to a levy on water that is withdrawn. Statistics for agriculture and fish farming are piecemeal, but since 2015, many businesses in these sectors have been required In order to provide its 8.5 million to collect data on their water withdrawals. It is important to continue collecting this data to residents with clean water, New draw as complete a picture of our water use as York City has a policy in place possible and find concrete solutions to reduce protecting its three watersheds. it. The government of Québec will encourage The city also participates in forest the development and maintenance of water conservation programs and conservation practices and extend them to the encourages farmers to adopt best industrial (e.g. mining) and agricultural sectors. practices. Through these efforts, New York gets clean water and Cumulative impacts of water withdrawals saves about $300 million a year on The government must ensure that withdrawals water treatment. do not exceed capacity and have relatively little impact on the environment and water users. Cumulative impacts refer to the impacts on the environment and on all resource users caused by a water withdrawal, combined with the impacts of past, present, and upcoming withdrawals, and taking climate change into account. To account for these cumulative impacts, the Environment Quality Act and the Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation (adopted in 2014) require MDDELCC authorization for all withdrawals over 75,000 liters per day. For authorization to be granted, water must remain available and withdrawals must not jeopardize Use of economic instruments water use or ecosystem health. In some cases, Economic incentives can be used to encourage authorization to withdraw water is conditional effective practices in sustainable water use and on the implementation of effective conservation conservation as well as changes in behavior. and use measures. This water withdrawal These can take the form of water fees, financial authorization system is relatively recent in assistance programs, environmental compliance Québec. The government will ensure that it is (a mechanism linking public funding for businesses maintained by focusing on knowledge acquisition to compliance with environmental standards), and the development of effective tools. and environmental taxation, which can be based on the user-pay or polluter-pay principles. Such measures may also spur the development and implementation of new technologies. In Québec, there is a water use charge for activities such as water bottling that use an average of 75,000 liters of water or more per day, whether the withdrawal is made from the natural environment or a water distribution system. The water use charge is an effective water management tool and raises companies’ awareness of the value of water. Revenues from use charges are paid into 42 the Green Fund and reinvested in integrated water resources management projects and knowledge acquisition. No changes have been made with respect to the application of the charge since it came into effect in January 2011. Reduction of single-use plastic waste Single-use plastics are a source of waste and pollution in Québec and around the world. Ocean Our tap water is of excellent pollution from plastics has become a major quality: Let’s drink it! international issue that challenges societies to change their behaviors and practices. A number One billion bottles of water are of countries have committed to reducing this type consumed every year in Québec. of pollution. In Québec, waste management helps Ultimately, less than 40% are limit water and ecosystem pollution from single- recycled. In Québec alone, the use plastics, provided that consumers dispose of them properly. Nonetheless, cutting down bottled water industry uses more on the use of these plastics, including single- than 225,000 barrels of oil annually, use water bottles, would help generate less equivalent to 97,000 metric tons waste and less pollution from their production, of CO2 equivalent emissions, or transportation, and disposal, while contributing to 24,000 passenger cars driving the international effort to reduce water pollution. 20,000 kilometers per year. Also, according to Environment and The government will look more closely at economic Climate Change Canada, the instruments such as water use charges and water Canadian bottled water industry container charges as a means to encourage uses about 1.3 liters of water to changes in behavior, including reducing plastic make a single liter of bottled water. use and waste. The government will also support solutions to promote tap water and reduce the use of plastic water containers. And yet the quality of our tap water is more than comparable, and it costs nothing to fill up a glass or a reusable container that can be refrigerated. Québec tap water is good: Let’s drink it and take it with us in reusable bottles. We should use water pitchers during activities and encourage the installation of public water fountains instead of bottled water vending machines. Water bottles are a major environmental issue, so much so that many Canadian cities ban their sale on municipal property.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 43 PRIORITY 6 Acquire and share the best knowledge on water Integrated water resources management and protection requires us to hone our knowledge and share it effectively to serve stakeholders and the public. There is a solid data acquisition network in place to monitor water quality and quantity and the status of aquatic environments. The data is essential for making informed decisions related to public health and safety and ecosystem protection. 44 Objectives Expand and strengthen the acquisition of knowledge essential for the protection and management of water and aquatic environments, including for intergovernmental and international cooperation. Develop tools adapted for integrated water resources management and conducive to sharing and disseminating knowledge. Strengthen research and the sharing of expertise in the water sector. TARGET and decision-making tools. By 2030, water stakeholders will have better access to knowledge Integrated water resources management involves Contaminants that can now be more easily acquiring new knowledge and sharing it with all detected in water, also known as emerging stakeholders. Surface and groundwater data contaminants, are of potential concern. Their collection and future climate modeling are useful impact on water quality, human health, and for making informed decisions and consistent ecosystems must be studied in order to determine with the desire to develop and manage the land in appropriate actions to treat water and better a sustainable manner that takes climate change protect the population and ecosystems. Likewise, into account. knowledge of hydrology and groundwater is limited in some parts of Québec. We must also Acquisition of essential knowledge improve our understanding of marine ecosystems. There are several monitoring programs that help provide an overview of water quality in Québec. Data is used to identify watersheds requiring interventions and to evaluate the effectiveness of water treatment programs. For example, Réseau- “ rivières monitors total phosphorus levels in 185 rivers in approximately 100 watersheds. Other networks assess the health of lakes and rivers, Water is a precious and fragile including the status of fish populations or the presence of invasive alien species and pollutants. resource threatened by pollution, The government will expand and strengthen water quality monitoring, including pesticide global warming, and plastics. The blue monitoring in surface and groundwater in terms of the number of watercourses, wells, pesticides, waters of our planet still hide many and sampling sites tracked. secrets and riches. We can’t protect them if we don’t understand them. The stakes are high, but with our collective creativity, anything is possible. ” LYNE MORISSETTE, PhD. Marine Ecology

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 45 The Québec Hydrometric Network, a river water data collection network, consists of 230 monitoring stations. It continuously collects information on water levels and flows in Québec’s main rivers. The data is used to help make decisions on dam operation, flood zone determination, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation. It is also used to forecast water levels and flows for Québec’s rivers in 2050. These projections are crucial in a context where adaptations to climate change are needed across the province, particularly in northern environments where observed and expected increases in average temperatures are most pronounced. The study of community vulnerabilities with respect to water supply and species movement in response to temperature increases, particularly invasive alien species, is essential. The data collected is crucial for making informed decisions that improve Québec society’s resilience in the face of new climate realities. The government will support efforts to maintain and ensure the effectiveness of data acquisition networks. In the interest of expanding knowledge, Québec maintains cooperative relations, particularly with neighboring provinces and the New England states. We must pursue and strengthen intergovernmental dialogue and our participation in international forums to learn about international best practices and promote our own. 46 Disseminating knowledge The ability to make effective and efficient integrated water resources management decisions also depends on the dissemination of knowledge. To promote participatory management, we must ensure that water stakeholders have access to the best available knowledge, in forms that are useful to them. The government will continue its efforts to ensure that new and existing knowledge is effectively shared and communicated with stakeholders, in particular through the use of new technologies and greater cooperation among research groups. In addition, the government will continue to cooperate with countries and states that are working to improve water management, in particular by transferring expertise and helping them establish advanced analytical laboratories, which are essential to maintaining quality drinking water.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 47 PRIORITY 7 Ensure and strengthen integrated water resources management Québec has adopted an integrated water resources management model that enables all stakeholders to participate in decision-making at both the watershed and St. Lawrence levels. Québec can build on this model thanks to a comprehensive perspective, participation by different users, and greater cohesion between the actions of ministries and local communities. Since Québec’s water crosses borders, collaboration and dialogue with neighboring governments and states will help us better manage this collective resource in a sustainable manner. 48 Objectives Strengthen integrated water resources management in Québec. Maintain and strengthen intergovernmental and international cooperation to promote Québec’s interests and foster integrated water management. Promote land use planning with a view to integrated regional water and watershed management. TARGET master By 2030, all regional county municipalities (RCMs) will have regional water plans and integrated management plans as part of their land use planning toolbox. By 2030, Québec will be a leader in integrated water management. The focus of this priority, which encompasses all The government intends to maintain and the other priorities of the Québec Water Strategy, strengthen the sharing and dissemination of are the people who depend on and use water, knowledge among all partners. affect water quality and quantity, and can benefit from it in a sustainable manner. Everyone is invited Water regulation and management to participate in the integrated management There are a number of laws and regulations that of this resource, notably through watershed impact water management and protection in organizations (OBVs) and regional round tables Québec (Appendix 2). With the adoption of the (TCRs). These bodies are made up of citizens and Québec Water Policy in 2002, the government representatives from municipalities; Indigenous set out to implement water management at the communities; the agricultural, forestry, energy watershed level, based on citizen participation. In and tourism sectors; and health, education, and 2007 Québec bolstered this commitment with the cultural organizations. Together, they embody the adoption of the Plan d’intervention sur les algues democratization of water governance desired by bleu-vert (Blue-Green Algae Response Plan), the Government of Québec. In particular, they which divides southern Québec into 40 integrated help bring local and regional issues to light and water management zones by watershed. The find solutions. To be effective, this form of shared adoption of the Water Act in 2009 introduced governance requires participants to accept their the idea of integrated water management into responsibilities and actively play their part. legislation. It is in this context that the government established management zones and formally Water governance in Québec is characterized recognized watershed organizations and regional by a large number of government and non- round tables as organizations responsible for government stakeholders involved in decisions integrated water resources management (IWRM) affecting water and aquatic ecosystems at the regional level. In addition, the signing in July (Appendix 1). The challenge is to ensure 2012 of the Agreement on Governance in the coordination and collaboration among water Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory between the management authorities at all levels, including Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Gouvernement ministries, public agencies, municipalities, du Québec confirmed the parties’ intention Photo: Enviro Foto Indigenous communities, and local and to implement an integrated water resources regional organizations. management mechanism in certain sections of the territory covered by the agreement south of the 55th parallel.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 49 Conseil québécois de l’eau Other regulations have been adopted to In order to strengthen integrated water strengthen the water management framework. management across Québec, the Conseil For example, the introduction of the water québécois de l’eau will be formed to ensure that withdrawal authorization regime in 2014 beefed all stakeholders have a voice in the process. It will up protection of the resource and recognized bring together representatives from the municipal, the need to first meet the drinking water needs agricultural, environmental, industrial, community, of the population and to reconcile the needs of and university sectors, as well as ministries ecosystems with economic activities. participating in the 2018–2030 Québec Water Strategy. The Government of Québec will work with Indigenous communities to define the nature Integrated management at the watershed level of their participation in this initiative. Consultative organizations (watershed organizations and regional round tables) are responsible for devising planning tools for The Conseil québécois de l’eau will help ensure their management zone. The action plans they the success of the strategy by fostering greater produce guide water management priorities at coherence between the efforts of government the local and regional levels. The Regroupement and non-government entities and by ensuring des organismes de bassins versants du Québec that information is properly disseminated among (ROBVQ) facilitates and supports the integrated all stakeholders. The Council will serve as a management work of watershed organizations forum where non-governmental partners can and acts as interlocutor with the government. contribute to implementing the Strategy and the resulting measures. Its main mandate will be to make recommendations to the Government of It is essential to strengthen this type of collaborative Québec on priority issues to be addressed and planning. Land use planning decisions must measures to be implemented in action plans. take into account priorities established for each The Council will play an important consultative watershed. To do so, better links are required and coordinating role and will serve as the between land use planning tools (metropolitan preferred forum for Québec water governance and RCM land use and development plans), representatives to discuss issues affecting water water master plans, and regional integrated management as a whole. management plans for the St. Lawrence. The government is committed to providing more mission support to organizations responsible for integrated water resources management. Photo: Enviro Foto 50 Intergovernmental and international collaboration Since water knows no borders, its integrated States. The government also supports the management requires collaboration with the activities of the International Joint Commission governments of neighboring provinces and U.S. (Canada-U.S.), for instance by participating on states with which Québec shares watersheds. the International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board to manage water levels and flows, or Partnership agreements facilitate this cooperation, contributing to the Lake Champlain Richelieu River so they must continue to be implemented. The Study Board’s work on flood-related phenomena. Canada-Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, Québec will continue to actively collaborate with a collaboration celebrating its 30th anniversary in these bodies in order to promote its interests and 2018, aims to pool the efforts of the governments foster integrated water management, including at of Québec and Canada to protect and develop relevant international forums the St. Lawrence River. Québec is also a signatory to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River . Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement. In addition, it is a stakeholder in the Maritime Strategy of the Conference of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, especially respecting its application within the regional maritime entity created to protect and strengthen the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes maritime transportation system. It also works with the Water Management Committee of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), which provides a multilateral forum for dialogue between the provinces, territories, and “ federal government. Québec has been working for many years with Water, by virtue of its quality and international partners whose decisions can affect Québec’s waters and aquatic environments. This abundance, is an invaluable resource. includes direct participation as a member of the Great Lakes Commission, the Great Lakes- It is the source of life and a source St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Council, and the Conference of Great Lakes and of peace for the soul, and we have St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers. These organizations bring together Ontario, Québec, the duty to protect it for present and ” and the eight Great Lakes states in the United future generations. CAROLINE BRODEUR (Regroupement des organismes de bassins versants)

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 51 52 Staying the Course: Implementation, Monitoring, and Reporting The 2018–2030 Water Strategy sets out the Every year, the government will publish an government’s vision and main priorities through action plan progress report based on previously to 2030. It will be deployed via three successive established indicators. The government will also action plans that will define specific measures to monitor overall progress under the strategy be implemented. The first of these, the 2018– by means of a more comprehensive impact

2023 Action Plan, will lay the groundwork for the assessment to be published midway. This strategy to ensure the coherence of government approach will make it possible to assess changes actions to protect water. in water resource protection and management issues and Québec’s progress in this area. The objectives and measures of the action plans will be monitored in a transparent, structured way to ensure the strategy’s successful implementation. To this end, the lead ministries and partners involved in implementing the measures will work closely to monitor the action plans. Oversight will be handled by a coordination office under the purview of MDDELCC. Monitoring of the strategy will be results-driven. It will also be based on partner accountability for the action plan measures within their respective mandates. Photo: Michelle Tavares

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 53 At a Glance PRIORITY 1 Ensure public access to quality water Objectives Protect community drinking water sources. Ensure access to water of sufficient quality and quantity. Continue to upgrade infrastructure and foster best practices across Québec. Promote the transition toward environmental sustainability and responsibility within agriculture. TARGETS By 2030, all municipalities in southern Québec will have access to quality drinking water that meets the highest standards. By 2030, over 90% of municipalities will meet wastewater treatment standards. 54 PRIORITY 2 Protect and restore aquatic environments PRIORITY 3 Objectives Conserve and restore aquatic environments. Better prevent and manage Protect species at risk. water-related risks Expand the network of aquatic protected areas. Objectives Promote the control of invasive alien species. Integrate climate change more effectively into TARGET water-related risk management. by 2030, there will have been no net loss of wetlands Improve tools for forecasting and preventing and water bodies in Québec since the adoption of the Act water-related risks. respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water in 2017. Modernize dam management. TARGET By 2030, all Québec municipalities will have identified their vulnerabilities and be prepared for water-related natural disasters.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 55 PRIORITY 5 Promote sustainable water use Objectives Encourage the development and adoption of sustainable water use and conservation practices. Promote the reduced use and elimination of single- use plastics. TARGET By 2025, Québec will have reduced its water consumption by 20% compared to 2015. PRIORITY 4 Harness the economic potential of water Objectives Develop sustainable economic activity related to water. Encourage application of the highest environmental standards in commercial shipping. Support the development of water-related technologies. Promote access to water bodies and watercourses. TARGET By 2030, the water sector’s share of the Québec economy will have increased. 56 PRIORITY 7 Ensure and strengthen integrated water resources management Objectives Strengthen integrated water resources management in Québec. Maintain and strengthen intergovernmental and international cooperation to promote Québec’s interests and foster integrated water management. Promote land use planning with a view to integrated regional water and watershed management. TARGET PRIORITY 6 By 2030, all regional county municipalities (RCMs) will have regional water master plans and integrated Acquire and share the best management plans as part of their land use knowledge on water planning toolbox. Objectives By 2030, Québec will be a leader in integrated water management. Expand and strengthen the acquisition of knowledge essential for the protection and management of water and aquatic environments, including for intergovernmental and international cooperation. Develop tools adapted for integrated water resources management and conducive to sharing and disseminating knowledge. Strengthen research and the sharing of expertise in the water sector. TARGET By 2030, water stakeholders will have greater access to knowledge and decision-making tools.

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 57 58 APPENDICES Photo: Enviro Foto

2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 59

APPENDIX 1 Integrated Water Management Roles and Responsibilities Government of Québec Generally speaking, integrated water management on Québec territory falls under the purview of the Québec government. Several ministries share responsibilities in this area. Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques is responsible for coordinating government action in integrated water management. MINISTRY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO WATER Ministère du Développement • Contribute to Québec’s sustainable development by protecting the environment, durable, de l’Environnement et de preserving biodiversity, and fighting climate change. la Lutte contre les changements • Enforce the Environment Quality Act, the Watercourses Act, the Dam Safety Act, the Act to climatiques (MDDELCC) affirm the collective nature of water resources and provide for increased water resource protection (Water Act), the Natural Heritage Conservation Act, the Pesticides Act, and the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water, and other water-related legislation. • Implement the Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains, the Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Rehabilitation Policy, and the 2015–2018 Québec Pesticide Strategy. • See that water resources are managed in an integrated and coordinated manner in the designated hydrographic units. • Observe and understand ecosystems to ensure their quality is maintained. • Ensure implementation of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Sustainable Water Resources Agreement for Québec. • Oversee implementation of the St. Lawrence Action Plan, which aims to conserve and develop the St. Lawrence River. • Assume responsibility for various action plans and strategies directly or indirectly related to water and aquatic ecosystems. • Perform its role in other areas of intervention related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, surface and groundwater, water bodies, wetlands, dams, and various water uses, including withdrawals. • Develop government policy guidelines on land use planning with respect to integrated water resources management and help implement it by supporting municipalities, in collaboration with MAMOT. • Ensure that the rights and interests of Indigenous communities are taken into consideration. • Support and increase Indigenous community participation in integrated water resources management. 60 Ministère de l’Agriculture, des • Develop the bio-food sector, which encompasses the following economic activities: Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation agricultural production, commercial fishing and aquaculture (saltwater and freshwater), (MAPAQ) and food and beverage processing. • Put agricultural land and marine resources to good use. • Implement the Stratégie phytosanitaire québécoise en agriculture 2011–2021 (2011– 2021 Phytosanitary Agricultural Strategy) and 2018–2025 Bio-food Policy. • Manage financial assistance programs and knowledge acquisition in crop and animal production and the agro-environment. • Actively support agro-environmental best practices in animal and plant production, especially with regard to fertilizer management, soil conservation, field water management, and safe, rational pesticide management. Ministère des Affaires • Oversee application of the Act respecting land use planning and development and other municipales et de l’Occupation related legislation. du territoire (MAMOT) • Coordinate implementation of government land use planning priorities. • Manage the various financial assistance programs related to water infrastructure. Ministère du Conseil exécutif • Oversee coordination of government action in maritime affairs. (MCE – Secrétariat aux affaires • Facilitate cooperation between partners in the maritime sector and ensure implementation maritimes) of Québec’s Maritime Strategy. Ministère du Conseil exécutif • Act as a liaison between Indigenous peoples and the Government of Québec. (MCE – Secrétariat aux affaires • Coordinate all government action in Indigenous communities. autochtones) • Ensure that Québec ministries and organizations involved in this area are consistent in their policies, actions, initiatives, and positions. 2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 61 Ministère de l’Énergie et des • Support the sustainable development of Québec’s energy and mineral resources and land. Ressources naturelles (MERN) • Develop public land use plans and oversee the issuance of land rights for lands in the domain of the State. • Assume responsibility for Québec’s energy issues and take the lead on the 2030 Energy Policy. • Manage the use of water resources in the public domain and hydraulic power vested in the domain of the State under the Watercourses Act, as well as the rights to use that power. • Oversee the monitoring and restoration of oil and gas exploration, drilling and hydrocarbon and brine storage sites in order to protect water resources. • Coordinate, as manager of the Québec government’s Geomatics Plan, the acquisition, production, sharing, and dissemination of government geographic information, including information required for water management. • Establish and manage official geodetic mapping and networks in Québec, including mapping of waterways and surface deposits. Société du Plan Nord • Oversee the Plan Nord. Ministère des Forêts, de la • Manage public forests, wildlife and wildlife habitats, including fish and other aquatic Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) habitats, and the collective natural heritage. • Manage activities related to wildlife harvesting and wildlife monitoring and surveillance. • Ensure the conservation and recovery of wildlife species at risk, and the conservation and restoration of quality wildlife habitats. MFFP fulfills these roles by enforcing of the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife and implementing protection measures under the Entente administrative concernant la protection des espèces menacées ou vulnérables dans le territoire forestier du Québec. • Ensure the sustainable management of public forests and the development of forestry activities, forest products, and private forests. Management is carried out under the Sustainable Forest Development Act. Management priorities, objectives, and mechanisms are set out in the Sustainable Forest Management Strategy and the Regulation respecting the sustainable development of forests in the domain of the State. • Plan and develop Québec’s national parks system and oversee park management in accordance with the Parks Act. 62 Ministère de la Santé et des • Ensure the prevention and management of health problems related to environmental Services sociaux (MSSS) pollution and deterioration in collaboration with the public health system and various partners. • Protect health and create conditions for the maintenance and improvement of the health and well-being of the population under the Public Health Act. • Work with MDDELCC and other relevant organizations, including Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS), its network of regional public health departments (DRSPs), and Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), to prevent and manage health problems related to the quality of drinking water and recreational water. • Contribute, with INSPQ, to updating and developing the water quality standards set out in the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water and the Regulation respecting water quality in swimming pools and other artificial pools (RQEPABA). • Conduct epidemiological (and other) investigations when outbreaks or intoxications potentially related to drinking water or bathing water are reported. • In collaboration with MDDELCC, monitor the application of the Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water, particularly with regard to exceedances of chemical or microbiological standards and the issuance of boil water or no consumption advisories in the event of significant drinking water contamination. Ministère de la Sécurité • Coordinate the actions of ministries and agencies provided for under Québec’s civil publique (MSP) protection plan to respond to disasters, including those related to water (flooding, erosion, shortage of drinking water, etc.). • Support local and regional authorities in critical aspects of civil security planning, i.e., prevention, emergency preparedness, response to actual or imminent disasters, and recovery. • Administer government financial assistance programs for disaster victims. • Implement government priorities and objectives with respect to civil security as set out in the Politique québécoise de sécurité civile 2014-2024 (2014–2024 Québec Civil Security Policy) adopted in 2014, aimed at making society more resilient to disasters. • Ensure implementation of the Plan d’action en matière de sécurité civile relatif aux inondations (Civil Security Action Plan on Flooding). 2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 63 Ministère des Transports, • Ensure the development and maintenance of efficient transportation systems with a view de la Mobilité durable et de to sustainable mobility throughout Québec. l’Électrification des transports • Oversee the management of the road and rail network under Québec’s jurisdiction. (MTMDET) • Assume certain responsibilities with respect to maritime transport, in particular under the Act respecting the Société des traversiers du Québec. • Ensure that the construction of new road networks and the maintenance, repair, and operation of the existing network is carried out with a view to the sustainable management of our water resources (protection of watercourses and wetlands). • Coordinate the Stratégie québécoise pour une gestion environnementale des sels de voirie (Québec Strategy for Environmental Road Salt Management). • Promote the modal shift from road to maritime or rail transport in order to reduce GHG emissions and pollutants. Promote energy efficiency in maritime, air, and rail transport to reduce GHG emissions, climate change, and pollutants. • Co-chair and coordinate the Navigation Coordination Committee and assume responsibility for the implementation of a sustainable navigation strategy. Ministère du Tourisme (MTO) • Promote the development of Québec’s tourism industry with a view to economic prosperity and sustainable development. • Foster and support the tourism potential associated with Québec’s water resources. MTO encourages the implementation of sustainable tourism and ensures diversified tourism offerings in aquatic and shoreline environments. • Coordinate implementation of the Stratégie de mise en valeur du Saint-Laurent touristique (Strategy to Develop Tourism along the St. Lawrence River) and the Stratégie touristique québécoise au nord du 49e parallèle (Québec Tourism Strategy North of the 49th Parallel). Ministère des Relations • Promote and defend Québec’s interests internationally. internationales et de la • Support cooperation with international partners in international watershed management Francophonie (MRIF) involving Québec. • Support MDDELCC in implementing international agreements with states bordering the Great Lakes or Québec. • Ensure that water management is one of the issues addressed in the fight against climate change. Ministère de l’Économie, de • Promote and defend Québec’s interests internationally. la Science et de l’Innovation • Support cooperation with international partners in international watershed management (MESI) involving Québec. • Support MDDELCC in implementing international agreements with states bordering the Great Lakes or Québec. • Ensure that water management is one of the issues addressed in the fight against climate change. 64 Municipalities Municipal organizations play a critical role in Québec’s local and regional development and, consequently, in integrated water management. BODY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO WATER Montréal and Québec City • Produce and regularly update a metropolitan land use and development plan in metropolitan communities accordance with the Act respecting land use planning and development. • For the Montréal Metropolitan Community, which has jurisdiction over water treatment, establish wastewater management standards. • For the Québec Metropolitan Community, act as a regional round table for the integrated management of the St. Lawrence Regional county municipalities • Produce and regularly update a land use and development plan in accordance with the (RCMs) Act respecting land use planning and development. • Take into consideration water master plans and regional integrated management plans affecting their territory when producing land use and development plans. • Regulate and ensure the flow of water in watercourses under municipal jurisdiction. • Implement regional wetland and water plans. Local municipalities • Assume operational responsibility for drinking water production, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. • Adopt planning, environmental, and health regulations under the Act respecting land use planning and development and the Municipal Powers Act. • In particular, apply the Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings and the Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains. 2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 65 Indigenous communities In 1985 and 1989, the National Assembly of Québec adopted resolutions recognizing the eleven Indigenous nations and their specific characteristics. Québec is home to 55 Indigenous communities representing ten First Nations and the Inuit nation. The Government of Québec recognizes the need to build harmonious relationships with these communities and has a constitutional obligation to consult them when a proposed action may infringe upon their established or claimed rights. BODY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO WATER Band councils • Contribute to integrated water management by bringing to bear their vision, values, and knowledge about traditional activities on their respective territories. • Be a voice for their communities at round tables and consultations or delegate spokespersons accordingly. • Oversee the activities and actions of community members with regard to water environments in their respective territories. Indigenous environmental • Ensure environmental monitoring and actively participate in the dissemination organizations of knowledge. • Foster environmental best practices. • Help communities mobilize. Government of Canada The federal Parliament has passed several acts that have an impact on water, including the Fisheries Act, the Navigation Protection Act, the Oceans Act, the Species at Risk Act, and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Canada’s Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime is also governed by some of this legislation. The Government of Canada has responsibilities: • Over water management on federal lands, particularly • Under intergovernmental agreements such as the on Indian reserves, where it is responsible for drinking Canada-Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence, water supply and wastewater treatment for Indigenous and on an ad hoc basis for issues on which the communities; governments of Québec and Canada must collaborate. • On other federal lands, such as Canada’s national parks, and in international waters; • Under the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909, signed with the United States. This treaty established an implementing body, the International Joint Commission, to prevent and resolve disputes related to international boundary waters; 66 Other partners Integrated water resources management requires contributions from many stakeholders. Individuals and organizations all have a role to play in achieving the Strategy objectives. ORGANIZATIONS ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO WATER Watershed organizations (OBVs) • Develop and update a water master plan for their water management area to identify priority water management issues and actions for the region. • Promote their master plan and monitor its implementation in collaboration with other stakeholders. • Carry out their work while ensuring balanced representation of users and stakeholders (including government, Indigenous, municipal, economic, environmental, agricultural, and community representatives) in the makeup of the organization. Regional round tables (TCRs) • Develop and update a regional integrated management plan for their St. Lawrence Integrated Management Area to identify issues and priority actions for the management of the St. Lawrence in their region • Promote this plan and monitor its implementation in collaboration with stakeholders. • Carry out their work while ensuring balanced representation of users and stakeholders (including government, Indigenous, municipal, economic, environmental, agricultural, and community representatives) in the makeup of the organization. Note: The Government of Québec, in collaboration with regional stakeholders, delegates coordination and facilitation of the regional round tables to a regional organization capable of carrying out this mandate. Companies in the commercial, • Ensure effective and efficient use and management of water resources in Québec. In agricultural, industrial, tourism, order to foster economic and tourism development in Québec, water of sufficient quantity maritime transport, and other and quality must be available to all. These companies must also ensure the quality of sectors water discharged after use. Hydro-Québec Production (HQP) • Ensure a reliable, low-cost electricity supply for Québec. • Harness the hydraulic power of rivers. • Control water levels in the reservoirs that supply generating stations (HQP owns approximately 600 reservoir dams). The general public • Be aware of their responsibilities with regard to the protection of water resources. • Use water responsibly and protect this collective resource. 2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 67

APPENDIX 2 Non-Exhaustive List of Legislation, Regulations, and Policies Related to Water Management QUÉBEC LEGISLATION FEDERAL LEGISLATION • Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms • Canadian Environmental • Civil Code of Québec Protection Act • Act to affirm the collective nature of water resources and to promote better governance of • Canadian Environmental water and associated environments Assessment Act • Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water • Canada Shipping Act, 2001 • An Act to amend the Environment Quality Act to modernize the environmental authorization scheme and to amend other legislative provisions, in particular to reform the governance of • International Boundary Waters the Green Fund Treaty Act • Sustainable Forest Development Act • Canada Marine Act • Act respecting land use planning and development • Navigation Protection Act • Natural Heritage Conservation Act • Coastal Fisheries Protection Act • Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife • Environment Quality Act • Marine Transportation Security Act • Dam Safety Act • Species at Risk Act • Sustainable Development Act • Oceans Act • Cultural Heritage Act • Fisheries Act • Watercourses Act • Canada Water Act • Municipal Powers Act • Wastewater Systems Effluent • Act respecting threatened or vulnerable species Regulations • Parks Act • Dominion Water Power Regulations • Sustainable Mobility Policy • Protection Policy for Lakeshores, Riverbanks, Littoral Zones and Floodplains • Energy Policy • Québec’s International Policy • Québec Water Policy • Regulation respecting the framework for authorization of certain projects to transfer water out of the St. Lawrence River Basin • Regulation respecting the sustainable development of forests in the domain of the State • Regulation respecting the extension of a storm water management system eligible for a declaration of compliance • Regulation respecting the declaration of water withdrawals • Regulation respecting the protection of waters from pleasure craft discharges • Land Protection and Rehabilitation Regulation • Regulation respecting the quality of drinking water • Regulation respecting the charges payable for the use of water • Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation • Regulation respecting contaminated soil storage and contaminated soil transfer stations • Regulation respecting private waterworks and sewer services • Regulation respecting industrial depollution attestations • Agricultural Operations Regulation • Regulation respecting pulp and paper mills • Fertilizing Residuals Regulation • Regulation respecting municipal wastewater treatment works • Règlement sur les procédures d’alerte et de mobilisation et les moyens de secours minimaux pour protéger la sécurité des personnes et des biens en cas de sinistre (Regulation respecting alert and mobilization procedures and minimum means of rescue to protect the safety of persons and property in the event of a disaster) • Règlement sur les travaux relatifs à une installation de gestion ou de traitement des eaux (Regulation respecting water management or treatment facilities) • Maritime Strategy 68

APPENDIX 3 Water Stakeholders INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND CROSS-BORDER STAKEHOLDERS Federal government Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Regional Body International Joint Commission (IJC) Canadian Council of Ministers of Others the Environment (CCME) GOVERNMENT OF QUÉBEC MDDELCC MFFP MAPAQ MTMDET MSSS MRIF MAMOT MSP MERN MCE MTO MESI Other ministries and organizations MUNICIPAL STAKEHOLDERS Regional county municipalities Municipalities Cree Nation Government Metropolitan communities Kativik Regional Government INDIGENOUS STAKEHOLDERS Band councils Indigenous environmental organizations NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ROBVQ RNCREQ Réseau ZEC Research groups UPA CPEQ Environmental groups and organizations Conseil québécois de l’eau LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS Consultation ZEC Other NGOs involved OBVs TCRs ZIPs CREs WATER USERS Individuals Agriculture Industry Forestry Boating clubs and marinas Parks and land conservation Lake and river associations Outfitters/hunting and fishing Businesses and service businesses Canoes and kayaks 2018-2030 QUÉBEC WATER STRATEGY 69 72