Regina hopes to host new Canada Water Agency headquarters

Canada Water Agency is looking for a new home WATCH: The Canada Water Agency is looking for a new home, and Regina is putting its hat in the ring. Cally Stephanow has more.

REGINA — The City of Regina and File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council want the Queen City to be the home of the Canada Water Agency (CWA) headquarters.

The announcement was made on Monday morning that the City of Regina and the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council will be putting in a bid for the headquarters of the Federally-owned CWA to be in Regina.

“The importance of water is ingrained in who we are, our way of life, and our livelihood,” Regina Mayor Sandra Masters said. “Regina has the history, partnerships, commitment and unique advantages to lead this generational opportunity, and I am pleased to extend a warm welcome to the Canada Water Agency.”

"It's not just about the economic impact or the economy and water's role in that," Edmund Bellegarde, File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council Tribal Chief & CEO, said. "It's about building good relations, it's about understanding the special relationship that exists between Canada and the Indigenous people. It's about ensuring that we are providing that good stewardship over water."

This partnership will also include collaborations with The First Nations University of Canada, the University of Regina and Sask Polytechnic.

"This is an opportunity to develop a new federal agency with the inclusion of Indigenous elders and youth as a foundational element, ensuring their voices are part of the research and future water policy will be critical to engagement, consultation, and sustainability of our precious water resources," Bob Kayseas, Vice-President Academic & Interim President of The First Nations University of Canada said.

In December, the federal government announced it was looking for public consultations to establish a new CWA.

The Federal Government said the new CWA will focus on improving freshwater management in Canada.

“Canadians want a future with cleaner air and cleaner water for their children and grandchildren," Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, said in December. "Establishing the Canada Water Agency will help to identify, better coordinate, and address various issues relating to freshwater in Canada. It’s an important part of Canada’s plan to build a cleaner, stronger, more resilient economy, with good, secure jobs now and into the future. I encourage all Canadians to take part in these consultations to help shape the Canada Water Agency.”

The City of Regina said if it's the successful application for the CWA headquarters, it will create 100 full-time jobs and add $70 million dollars to the local economy annually.

“Our economic prosperity has always depended on water." John Lee, Economic Development Regina President and CEO, said. "Sectors such as agriculture and food have huge potential for Regina and well beyond – and they rely on sound water stewardship. Our collective understanding of water issues makes Regina the right choice for the CWA, and EDR is proud to bring the right people together to make our case.”