Public Policy Assessment and Advancing Science-Based Freshwater Protection

This briefing paper proposes a systematic, science-informed methodology to assess the adequacy of Canadian public policy in addressing threats to freshwater resources and aquatic biodiversity. It introduces a hierarchical threat classification system and a framework for identifying gaps between existing management instruments and scientific research needs to inform a pan-Canadian approach to freshwater management.

• The document proposes a hierarchical threat classification system for Canadian freshwaters based on the IUCN's approach for species at risk. This system organizes threats into four broad Level 1 classes: Quantity (Threats 1-6), Quality (Threats 7-8), Habitat (Threats 9-11), and Pervasive/Cross-cutting (Threats 12-13).
• The author identifies three primary entry points where scientific inquiry is necessary for freshwater management: identifying and characterizing threats, determining the most effective mitigation or compensation options for desired outcomes, and evaluating the actual effectiveness of deployed management instruments.
• A proposed methodology for assessing public policy gaps involves four steps: creating an inventory of management instruments, identifying the objectives of specific provisions, determining if those provisions can mitigate or compensate for specific threats, and identifying trends or gaps in threat coverage.
• An analysis of a sample of 26 water management instruments (comprising 80 provisions) indicates that water quality threats were addressed more frequently than other threat classes, while habitat threats were addressed more frequently than quantity threats.
• The sample analysis revealed that different types of instruments have varying scopes: regulations tended to be highly focused, while treaties and agreements addressed the broadest range of threats. Policies, goals, and research instruments addressed more threats than laws or statutes.
• The document highlights specific scientific research needs identified within instruments with research, monitoring, and knowledge-sharing (RMK) objectives, including the need to study multiple simultaneous pollutants, the cumulative effects of toxics on habitat, and the appropriate spatial scales for assessment.

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} }