Why Canada’s water security is being threatened by Trump
Mar 27, 2025
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In this insightful discussion, Patrick White, a Globe and Mail reporter specializing in water issues, highlights the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Canada water partnerships. He reveals how recent job cuts under the Trump administration jeopardize vital research and collaboration on the Great Lakes. The conversation delves into the historical pollution challenges and environmental reforms initiated by past crises, while raising alarms about the potential for water diversion amid U.S. drought conditions, framing these issues as critical not just for ecosystems but also for national security.
The budget cuts to U.S. environmental agencies under the Trump administration jeopardize crucial research and cooperative management of the Great Lakes.
Discussions surrounding water sharing and management have shifted from environmental topics to urgent national security concerns stemming from potential water scarcity.
Deep dives
The Vital Importance of the Great Lakes
The Great Lakes serve as a crucial freshwater resource for over 40 million people, including 10 million in Canada, emphasizing their significance for public health. Economically, the Great Lakes region boasts an estimated economy of around $6 trillion, positioning it as one of the largest economies globally. This body of water also supports diverse ecosystems, playing an essential role in the survival of numerous species, from fish to birds. Given their extensive impact on human life and the environment, the Great Lakes have progressively become central to discussions about water management and environmental conservation.
Historical Environmental Recovery Initiatives
The environmental state of the Great Lakes saw a dramatic decline in the 1960s, illustrated by the infamous incident where the Cuyahoga River caught fire due to industrial pollution. This crisis prompted significant environmental policy changes, including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the U.S., aimed at addressing pollution. As a result of these collaborative efforts, not only have contaminants like PCBs been significantly reduced, but concerted initiatives such as the control of invasive sea lampreys have also led to a revival of native fish populations. The story of the Great Lakes reflects successful cross-border cooperation that actively transformed a previously dire environmental situation into a model for restoration.
Current Challenges due to Political Tensions
Recent political shifts in the U.S. have introduced significant challenges to the future of Great Lakes cooperation, as budget cuts to environmental agencies threaten ongoing research and management efforts. Events like Great Lakes Day have shifted in tone, with discussions now marked by uncertainty and skepticism about bipartisan support for environmental funding. The Trump administration's cuts have paralyzed several key initiatives crucial for maintaining the health of the Great Lakes, while the potential for further conflicts over water management agreements like the Columbia River Treaty looms large. These changing dynamics not only threaten environmental progress but also highlight urgent national security concerns related to water scarcity in the U.S.
For decades, scientific research at the Great Lakes has meant close partnership between Canada and the U.S., but President Trump’s latest job cuts may be changing that. Last Thursday, the U.S. agencies overseeing the health and conditions of oceans, lakes and rivers became the latest target of the Trump Administration’s federal job-cutting spree.
Patrick White reports on water issues for the Globe. Today, he explains how the partnership around the Great Lakes is changing, why there’s new negotiations about water sharing, and why these conversations about freshwater are not just issues of environmental concern – but also of national security.