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Resolving Water-use Conflicts: Insights from the Prairie Experience for the MacKenzie River Basin

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  • David R. Percy

    (University of Alberta)

Abstract

The southern regions of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan suffer from periodic drought more than any other part of Canada. They depend heavily on rivers that rise in the Rocky Mountains and traverse all three provinces to their outlet on Hudson Bay. In 1969, after a prolonged period of disagreement between Alberta and Saskatchewan over conflicting priorities for the use of prairie rivers, the two provinces joined with the governments of Manitoba and Canada to enter into an arrangement known as the Apportionment Agreement. The Agreement was based on the broad principle that each upstream province would allow one-half of the natural flow of the rivers to pass to its downstream neighbours. But much has changed since 1969: A warming climate, a growing population and an expanding economy, particularly in Alberta, has focused increased attention on the water resources of the prairies and demands an examination of how the Agreement works today.

Suggested Citation

  • David R. Percy, 2012. "Resolving Water-use Conflicts: Insights from the Prairie Experience for the MacKenzie River Basin," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 341, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdh:commen:341
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Christopher Ragan, 2011. "The Roads Not Taken: Why the Bank of Canada Stayed With Inflation Targeting," e-briefs 125, C.D. Howe Institute.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Water Series; Canada; Alberta; Manitoba; Saskatchewan. Apportionment Agreement; Mackenzie Basin; groundwater; water pollution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q25 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Water
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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