Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection

The document outlines a framework for evaluating whether Canada's public policy regime adequately addresses threats to its freshwaters. It introduces a hierarchical threat classification system based on the IUCN approach, categorizing threats into quantity, quality, habitat, and pervasive/cross-cutting classes. Through a sample analysis of 26 water management instruments, the author demonstrates a methodology to identify policy gaps and scientific research needs. The paper argues that a coordinated, pan-Canadian approach is necessary to align water science with policy to protect aquatic biodiversity and resources, particularly in the face of climate change.

• The author proposes a hierarchical freshwater threat classification system based on the IUCN's approach for species at risk, dividing threats into four broad classes: Quantity, Quality, Habitat, and Pervasive/Cross-cutting.
• A sample analysis of 26 Canadian water management instruments indicates that water quality threats are addressed more frequently than other threat classes, while habitat threats are addressed more often than quantity threats.
• The analysis reveals that different types of management instruments vary in scope: regulations are typically highly focused, whereas treaties and agreements tend to address a broader range of threats.
• There is a notable lack of representation and coverage for climate change effects in the sampled public policy instruments.
• The document identifies three critical entry points for scientific inquiry in freshwater management: characterizing the threats themselves, determining the scientific basis for the design of management instruments, and evaluating the effectiveness of deployed instruments.
• The author argues that Canada's water management is hindered by jurisdictional ambiguities stemming from the Constitution Act of 1867, which failed to recognize the physical nature of watersheds over political boundaries.

APA

Trudeau, M. (2017). Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/public-policy-assessment-advancing-science-based-freshwater-protection-background.pdf

Chicago

Trudeau, M.P. Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2017. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/public-policy-assessment-advancing-science-based-freshwater-protection-background.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Trudeau |first1=M.P. |title=Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=January 2017 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/public-policy-assessment-advancing-science-based-freshwater-protection-background.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{trudeau2017public, author = {Trudeau, M.P.}, title = {{Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2017}, month = jan, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/public-policy-assessment-advancing-science-based-freshwater-protection-background.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }