Stress points : Overview of water & economic growth in Western Canada

The objectives of the Canada West Foundation-Arthur J. E. Child Foundation Water Project are to explore the “stress points” found at the interface between water and the western Canadian economy and to encourage a franker public debate about them. [...] STRESS POINTS AN OVERVIEW OF WATER AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN WESTERN CANADA STRESS POINTS AN OVERVIEW OF WATER AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN WESTERN CANADA Executive Summary The objectives of the Canada West Foundation-Arthur J. E. Child Foundation Water Project are to explore the “stress points” found at the interface between water and the western Canadian economy. [...] The hard lessons of history are clear, written on the deserted sands and ruins of once proud civilizations.” – LYNDON B. JOHNSON, 36TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE Water is not only central to our health and environment, but also to the success of our economy. [...] The real issue is not the amount of water in Canada but “whether there is enough water where it is needed, whether that water is readily accessible and whether that water is of sufficient quality” (Vander Ploeg 2011). [...] In all cases, water is a prominent part of the landscape and the economic make-up of the West.