Who owns alberta water

Throughout Canada, property rights are governed differently by each Province adding to the different perspectives on property rights. Furthermore, both the Constitution Act, and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, do not enshrine ones right to own property.

In Alberta ownership is central to the understanding of property rights and subsequent uses or opportunities for land-use. Property ownership provides landowners with a level of protection that enables them to use, develop and enjoy property as they see fit.

In the event of land expropriation, however, land can be taken away from private landowners by the government to be used for the public good. For example, the North West Irrigation Act, was implemented by the Canadian Federal Government to provide landowners and farmers the legal right to access water. Development of the North West Irrigation Act, led to the creation of water licenses that gave farmers the right to water. FITFIR was developed to provide all water users with water licenses to divert water from surface and groundwater sources.

Essentially, water licenses provide users the right to water for agricultural, municipal, industrial, environmental and other uses. These include rights under section 35 1 of the Canadian Constitution Act , rights under the Treaties covering land in Alberta Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and rights to carry on certain traditional activities such as hunting and fishing both on and off reserve.

Whenever there is a potential that a law allows activity that impacts Aboriginal rights or interests, governments have a duty to consult and accommodate. This is too big a topic to discuss now but it will be the subject of a future LawNow article. We will start this time with water. Other important provincial statues containing provisions that could affect water in some way include: the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act , the Municipal Government Act , the Public Lands Act , the Alberta Land Stewardship Act and the regional plans created under it , the Irrigation Districts Act , the Forests Act , the Wildlife Act, and many of the regulations and plans created under the above statutes.

The extraction industries oil, gas and mining might be the biggest contributors to GDP in Alberta, but the agriculture industry uses most of the licensed water, primarily for irrigation. Fish and wildlife need water too.

You cannot have a full understanding of water law without considering Aboriginal rights and interests. Funded by. When you save water, you save money on your utility bills. Here are just a few ways You will need the nine digit number to make your on-line payments. As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves asking, where has gone?

As we begin to focus on friends and family during this wonderful time of year, we would like to acknowledge and thank all of our Veterans. Whether active or retired, we truly appreciate your sacrifice and dedication. Read the full article ». Sign Up for Alerts.

Where did these laws come from? Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact.