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Home / Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors – Multimedia

Water Sustainability and the Future of Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors – Multimedia

EXPLORE WATER USE IN CANADA'S NATURAL RESOURCE SECTORS (MAPS)

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CANADA'S NATURAL RESOURCE SECTORS

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Electricity SectorAs the most significant gross water user in Canada, the electricity sector will face choices about Canada’s future electrical generation mix that will have implications for the sustainability of water resources. For fossil and nuclear power generation, water availability is a key consideration, both in terms of constraints at existing facilities and siting of new facilities.

Oil and Gas Sector

Even though the oil and gas sector uses relatively small volumes of water on a national scale, the anticipated strong growth for the sector will have important consequences for regional water resources. The sector’s impacts on water quality and ecosystems will continue to be a challenge for the sector to manage.

 Agriculture Sector

Due to irrigation, the agriculture sector consumes more water than any other natural resource sector in Canada. Anticipated increases in demand for irrigation, meat, consumable crops, and biofuels, coupled with the pressures expected from the effects of climate change, will likely result in
increased water demand by the agriculture sector.
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Mining Sector

The mining sector is not a significant user or consumer of water, however mining activities can impact water quality and ecosystems if not managed properly. Climate change impacts may have important consequences for the management and future design of mines across Canada, particularly in the North.

 Forest Sector

Pulp and paper manufacturing industries have significantly improved their water use practices and account for approximately five per cent of gross water use in Canada, of which only two per cent is consumptive. Canada’s forests play a crucial role in influencing the quality and quantity of water resources; in light of climate change impacts, more research is needed to better understand forest-water resource interactions.