JAN 20, 2026 statement

Why Government of Alberta Changes to Water Act Matters

“Alberta takes six weeks to create new public relations messaging for the so-called ‘modernized’ provincial Water Amendment Act, but the truth remains the same: big oil and big agriculture priorities reign supreme over regular Albertans, and tramples on the legal duties to First Nations under Treaty.”

Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree Tribal Government, Treaty 8

Here is why the Alberta government’s changes matter:

  • Treaty Rights Ignored: Once again, policy changes affecting our shared waters are rolled out without meaningful consultation or the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of the First Nations who have been stewards of this water since time immemorial.
  • More Extraction: Increasing limits might help farmers today, but what happens  downstream and to the groundwater we all need to drink?

Water is a relative, not a resource to be “captured” and “managed” for the highest bidder.