The committee studied Bill C-241, which proposes a national strategy for flood and drought forecasting, hearing from sponsor Tatiana Auguste and witnesses including Dr. John Pomeroy, as well as officials from the Department of the Environment, the Canada Water Agency, Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and Agriculture and Agri-Food.
Dr. John Pomeroy, a distinguished professor from the University of Saskatchewan, testified that Canada's current flood and drought forecasting is fragmented across 13 provinces and territories with no interoperability, leading to slow uptake of new technology and inadequate warnings that have resulted in deaths and billions in damages. He recommended moving toward a national forecasting framework co-developed with provinces, territories, universities, communities and first nations, convened under the Canada Water Agency, to improve water security, reduce damages and support agriculture and industry.
Doris Fortin, from Environment and Climate Change Canada, stated that the bill would require the minister to develop a national strategy in collaboration with multiple federal ministers and through consultation with provinces, indigenous governments and stakeholders. She noted that the federal government already collects standardized water quantity data through the national hydrometric program and that the bill would help fill gaps in coordination, as acknowledged by Public Safety Canada reports.
Gemma Boag, from the Canada Water Agency, explained that the agency fosters coordination across federal departments and delivers freshwater ecosystem initiatives in eight major basins through grants and contributions. She noted that the agency works with indigenous partners on improving freshwater quality, but when pressed on measurable results for Lake Winnipeg, she offered to provide written follow-up.
Hieu Vu, from Natural Resources Canada, described the flood hazard identification and mapping program, which has produced over 450 maps for 516 communities through agreements with all provinces and territories, with a target of 1,100 communities by 2028. He noted that about half of provinces have indicated they may not continue mapping work at the same pace without continued federal support after the program ends.
Kenza El Bied, from Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, stated that her department currently collects and shares forecasts for wildfires and floods with provinces and territories, and that improved drought data from the bill would help expand seasonal risk assessments.
Stephanie Lane, from Environment and Climate Change Canada, clarified that a bill is not required to create a strategy, but that Bill C-241 provides a parliamentary-directed framework with a two-year timeline for development and a five-year reporting requirement, including specific elements and consultation obligations.
Dr. Aman Deep, from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said the department produces monthly drought assessments through the Canadian drought monitor and that the bill could help enhance forecasting systems, but it is too early to determine how it would affect business risk management programs or to quantify economic losses from insufficient forecasting. He maintained that recent research station closures have not impacted drought monitoring capacity.
The committee also debated a motion from Branden Leslie requesting an unredacted copy of a letter reportedly sent by 14 Liberal MPs to the Prime Minister concerning environmental policy, to be provided within seven days of adoption.
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