Water flows over the spillway at Scales Pond near Kinkora, P.E.I. All Islanders are stakeholders when it comes to water and should be involved in its protection and decisions about its use, states the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water. Photo by Ryan Ross /The GuardianArticle contentWhat does it mean when a government goes against its own recommendations?THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentAs a requirement of the Water Act, an irrigation strategy was developed by the Department of Environment and released in 2022. It clearly states that assessments and permitting, including the determination if the regulations are being followed, would be done by an arms-length independent body.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentIt also states that: “The independent body will extend beyond irrigation. The department envisions a water authority which will take an all-encompassing view toward water management while factoring the needs of both people and aquatic life.”Article contentConsultations are also supposed to take place before this governance body is created.Article contentChange in policyArticle contentThis past week we heard that Hon. Gilles Arsenault, the minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action, has no intention of following his own government’s recommendations. We at the Coalition for the Protection of P.E.I. Water are amazed by the minister’s statement that we don’t need water governance, and that talking to farmers is enough.Article contentThe minister seems to ignore guiding values in the Water Act that water is a common good and a public trust. We are all stakeholders when it comes to water and should be involved in its protection and decisions about its use.Article contentArticle contentWhen and how did this change in policy take place? Did we have any consultations? Were there amendments made to the existing irrigation strategy? Perhaps the minister could explain how this change came about.Article contentBuilding boom in P.E.I.Article contentMeanwhile, 70 new applications are pending for water withdrawal permits. We also know that the Department of Environment has had to hire more people to help with site assessments for new developments because of the building boom that is happening on our Island.Article contentPast practices have also shown us that, despite robust regulations, ministers may simply waive the regulations. (Some will recall the Dunk River water extractions that were over the stated limits, yet were allowed to go ahead, thus endangering the aquatic life in the river). Most recently we witnessed that overreach with the approval of wetland infilling for a golf course in Summerside.
LETTER: Environment minister ignoring P.E.I. Water Act
