Water is arguably one of Canada’s defining natural endowments. From towering mountain headwaters to expansive boreal rivers, Canada sits at the confluence of geography, climate, and policy that together shape a nation with some of the world’s most significant freshwater resources. I will explore why water is such a covenant resource for Canada, and l will explain why we have concerns about underestimating its value and explain why Canada is rich in water.

Canada is home to a remarkable share of the world’s freshwater resources. About 20% of the world’s freshwater is contained within Canadian borders. The vast geography spans thousands of lakes, rivers, wetlands, and groundwater systems. Freshwater endowments are unevenly distributed, with major basins in provinces like Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and the prairie provinces. Northern regions harbor extensive permafrost, glacial feeds, and pristine waters, while southern regions host large urban and agricultural demand. Snowpack, spring melt, and precipitation cycles influence river flows and reservoir levels.

Water bodies are part of Canada’s cultural landscape, Indigenous water rights, and regional identities. The notion of protecting water for current and future generations is embedded in policy debates and conversation efforts. Water is a cornerstone of Canada’s electricity generation, providing a large share of renewable, low-emission power. Irrigation and water management underpin food production across provinces. Clean water is essential for industry, health, and daily life.

Is Canada undervaluing its water?

On one hand, Canada often highlights water abundance as a national strength. On the other hand, water risks-pollution, over-extraction, aging infrastructure, and cross-boarder sharing-signal that value is not fully protected. Aging water infrastructure and underinvestment threaten drinking water safety, especially in smaller communities.

What really makes Canada rich in water is the Canadian Shield, the Great Lakes-St. The Lawrence system, the Mackenzie River basin, and sprawling Arctic waters give the country an enormous hydrological footprint. Glaciers and winter snowpacks act as natural storage, regulating flows through spring and summer.

More and more Canadians are starting to realize the importance of our most valued asset and this needs to be protected, especially from guys like Trump who try and bully their way into our country. Trump’s bullying is all about capturing our resources of gas and other natural minerals, but water is the key. Behind Trump’s rhetoric recently about Canada the underlying plan is to capture our water reserves and control us.

To continue to maintain our stronghold on our water reserves, we need to stay current and innovative to prevent  from falling to the wayside including modernizing aging water systems, treatment facilities, and flood defenses need to occur. Investment in green infrastructure to mitigate flood risk and enhance water quality we need to improve national and regional water-quality monitoring networks. Investment in climate-informed hydrology and predictive models to guide planning. We need to align provincial/territorial policies with national standards to ensure consistent protection…..we can’t afford another Walkerton disaster that killed many people due to stupidity and careless procedures because government employees were careless.

Canada’s water resources are a defining feature of the nation, shaping energy, economy, culture, and environmental stewardship. While abundance is a powerful asset, it also carries responsibilities to protect water quality, to invest in resilient infrastructure, and to ensure fair, sustainable access for all Canadians. By embracing integrated governance, science-led planning, and Indigenous-led stewardship, Canada can honor water as the covenant resource that it truly is-and continue to prosper from it for generations to come.

In short, water isn’t just a beverage, it’s a lifeline that supports health, food, ecosystems, energy, and economies. Caring for water means caring for life on Earth.

Water is life’s most patient ally…. it’s always there, always essential, and always ready to refresh, hydrate, and sustain us.

Vincent Black/MS

Toronto’s downtown airport, officially known as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, has long been the subject of debate. Located on the Toronto Islands just minutes from the city’s financial district, the airport provides convenient regional air service while occupying a unique and sensitive location on Toronto’s waterfront.

Over the past decade, proposals to expand the airport have generated intense discussion among residents, businesses, politicians, urban planners, and environmental groups. Supporters argue that expansion would strengthen Toronto’s economy, improve transportation options, and create jobs. Opponents contend that a larger airport would fundamentally alter the charter of the waterfront, increase noise and pollution, and prioritize commercial interests over community needs.

The central question remains: would expanding the island airport serve the people of Toronto, or would it primarily serve the interest of the aviation industry and airport operations?

Billy Bishop Airport operates under a tripartite agreement involving the federal government, the City of Toronto, and the Toronto Port Authority. The agreement governs airport operations, including restrictions on runway length and aircraft types. Historically. The airport was intended to remain a relatively small urban airport. Expansion proposals have included runway extensions, accommodation of larger aircraft, and increased passenger capacity. Such changes would transform the airport from a regional facility into a more significant transportation hub. Because the airport sits adjacent to densely populated neighborhoods and valuable public waterfront land, and expansion carries consequences far beyond aviation.

The strongest argument against major expansion is that Toronto already possesses a larger international airport in Pearson. Critics ask why valuable downtown waterfront land should be used to duplicate infrastructure that already exists elsewhere in the region. The strongest argument in favour is convenience. A larger downtown airport could provide faster access for millions of travellers and support economic growth in Canada’s largest city. The question therefore becomes one of priorities…. should Toronto’s waterfront be primarily a transportation corridor, or should it remain focused on recreation, housing, public space, and environmental stewardship?

Doug Ford has pulled off a significant political victory in Ontario politics in my humble opinion with the premiere being able to convince the mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow and the Prime Minister of Canada to go along with the expropriation and move on the Island airport that no other government has ever pulled off. Doug Ford has done what no other single politicians has ever been able to maneuverer this deal with all levels of government being on side. Whether the stars all lined up at the same time, or did Doug Ford make this happen?

Expanding Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport offers clear economic and transportation benefits. Increased connectivity, job creation, and business access could strengthen Toronto’s position as a major North American city. However, those benefits must be weighed against substantial costs, including noise, environmental impacts, pressure on surrounding neighborhoods, and potential loss of waterfront opportunities.

Whether the tripartite agreement serves the public interest depends largely on one’s view of what Toronto’s waterfront should become. If economic growth and transportation efficiency are the primary goals, expansion appears attractive. If preserving public waterfront space, neighborhood quality of life, and environmental sustainability are the priorities, significant expansion becomes much harder to justify.

The debate is not simply about an airport. It is a broader discussion about the future identity of Toronto itself and how the city chooses to balance growth, mobility, and quality of life.

Ford appears to have won the political battle to get Billy Bishop expansion moving, but the broader fight over whether the project is a good idea-and how much of it ultimately gets built-is still being contested.

Love it or loathe it, Toronto Island Airport has mastered one thing better than most airports; keeping an entire city talking before passengers even leave the ground. 

Whether it was a “win” for Doug Ford depends on your viewpoint.

Vincent Nigro/MS

Here is what we know about the sexual predator whose secrets spurred an international reckoning over money, power and complicity. Check back for updates.