Who is responsible for water management in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut?
The federal government, specifically Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), has the overall responsibility for the management of water resources in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Through land claims agreements, First Nations and the Inuit, and the territorial governments share in this management through participation on joint resource management boards. As well, Aboriginal governments have certain limited authorities as defined in self-government agreements. The Northwest Territories Water Act, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and the Nunavut Waters and Nunavut Surface Rights Tribunal Act and the proposed Nunavut Water Act provide a unique framework for managing water resources. Among other things, they establish a water board in each territory that is responsible for conservation, development, and use of water resources. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is responsible for enforcing the legislation and for resource planning, collecting data, and supply
