Why is the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement needed?
The Master Agreement provides a known framework of principles, procedures and guidelines for the six jurisdictions to use in their respective internal water management practices, and in their relations with each other. Jurisdictions face increasing development and use of the Basin’s water resources; the cooperative management of shared water resources reduces potential conflicts between jurisdictions.
How is an ecosystem approach incorporated into the Waters Master Agreement needed?
The Agreement facilitates protection of the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem. This means protection of the ability of the aquatic ecosystem to support life. The actual conditions of flow, seasonal variation and water quality, which define ecological integrity, will vary both between and within the various water bodies, which make up the Mackenzie River Basin. These conditions will be defined and monitored in the area of boundary crossing points for the major water bodies.
Why is the Agreement confined to water?
An ecosystem-based approach also involves land, air, and wildlife. Such a comprehensive agreement would be very complex, and is not consistent with the constitutional division of powers over resource management. Water is the main component of the ecosystem which flows and moves between jurisdictions and which acts as an integrator between other components of the ecosystem. Protecting the aquatic ecosystem also has benefits to all other components of the ecosystem.
Who can refer a dispute to the MRBB?
For disputes under the Master Agreement, any member of the MRBB can request a review. For disputes involving a bilateral agreement, only the parties to the bilateral agreement may request an MRBB review.
When will all the bilateral water management agreements be completed for the Mackenzie River Basin?
The Alberta/NWT, the BC/Yukon, and the BC/NWT bilateral agreements, as well as the Yukon/NWT bilateral agreement on the Peel River, have been completed. Work is currently progressing on the remaining bilateral agreements for the transboundary crossing points involving British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon and the NWT. These agreements are in various stages of completion reflecting the different issues and circumstances associated with each. The Yukon/NWT bilateral agreement on the Peel was completed in 2002, but it will be revisited once the other bilateral agreements have been completed.