Canada invests $15,000 on Saskatoon's international water conference in face of climate change

The conference commenced on Aug 12 and will continue till Aug 17.

Canadian Water Resources Association, a national not-for-profit organization is hosting the conference. with network of professionals in 80 countries consisting of members from the public, private and academic sectors with a commitment to promote effective management of water resources and sharing of experiences and transfer of water management technology.

“As the globe experiences an increasingly variable climate, the need to share information regarding sustainable agricultural water management has never been greater. Saskatoon – and Canada – is pleased to host this international conference with delegates from over 40 countries sharing their technical knowledge and experience," said Warren Helgason, ICID Conference Co-Chair, Associate Professor of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering, University of Saskatchewan.

"We’re excited to showcase how Canada is contributing to meeting the challenges of feeding a growing world population and we look forward to a vibrant exchange of ideas,” said he.

Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced funding of $15,000 from Western Economic Diversification Canada’s Western Diversification Program in support of this conference at the conference’s opening ceremonies.

“Water is critical to agriculture in the Prairies...to realise that potential in the face of more severe floods and droughts caused by climate change, we need to better manage this precious resource. This investment is one example of what the Government of Canada is doing to enable Canadians to make better use of our exceptional water resources,” said  Goodale.

The theme of the conference is “Innovative and Sustainable Agri-water Management: Adapting to a Variable and Changing Climate.”

“Through the Innovation and Skills Plan and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, the Government of Canada is investing in innovations aimed at protecting the environment and improving the sustainability of agriculture and natural resource development. The fact that this conference is being hosted in Canada is a testament to the expertise of Canadian researchers and producers,” said Navdeep Bains.

Delegates also get the opportunity to see Saskatchewan farms and learn about Western Canada’s innovative strategies and practices related to irrigation, drainage and water security in addition to conference sessions and workshops dealing with water resource management.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)