The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, M.L.A. Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Government of Saskatchewan hi.minister@gov.sk.ca Dear Minister: In response to your letter of August 21, 2022, concerning water quality monitoring conducted by Environment and Climate Change Canada, I would like to take this opportunity to address speculations and clarify the work done by the Department in that regard. I believe that we, and Canadians, are best served when we engage on the facts—not heated and misinformed rhetoric. In your role as Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, you will be well aware that water quality is one of those rare issues that unites all Canadians. Canada is globally renowned for its freshwater resources, and we are all dependent on clean water, whether we live in Canada’s biggest cities or most remote ranches and Indigenous communities. For over half a century, federal scientists have routinely conducted water monitoring across all provinces and territories. These important scientific monitoring activities by the Government of Canada help ensure the health and safety of all Canadians and the environment are protected. There are strict protocols in place that scientists must follow to ensure any water sampling is done in compliance with provincial and territorial laws. On August 11, Environment and Climate Change Canada water scientists were taking samples alongside a highway in Pense, Saskatchewan on behalf of Health Canada. A landowner approached the scientists to inform them that they were in fact on private land. You brought this matter to my attention in your very public and very frank letter of August 21. I also took note of your comments openly speculating about the work of these scientists. Please allow me to be equally frank and public in my response: departmental officials are not testing water for nitrates or nutrients related to farm runoff, and their study is not related to the non-regulated, …/2 - 2 - voluntary goals of the Government of Canada in an effort to reduce emissions from agricultural fertilizers. The claims made in the media about this incident compound other recent misinformation regarding the voluntary nature of the fertilizer emission reduction goals, mischaracterizing work that is voluntary, unregulated and being done in partnership with Canadian farmers to reduce emissions, not fertilizer use. If a federal scientist inadvertently encroached on private land without permission, this matter that can surely be handled in a mature and informed manner. As a measure of good faith, Environment and Climate Change Canada is reviewing its sampling protocols to ensure they are consistent with area laws before doing any further sampling. Federal officials look forward to working with Saskatchewan officials to better understand recent Order in Council rule changes, so that the important work of scientific water data analysis can continue. We have many great and common challenges as Canadians that require our united action and effort. All orders of government should be able to agree on the value of collecting baseline scientific data, in accordance with the laws of the land, to protect the health and safety of Canadians. Please accept my best regards. Sincerely, The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P. (il/lui/he/him)