Canada Water Agency Proposal (English)

Team Saskatchewan welcomes the Canada Water Agency

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Welcome Together with the City of Regina, File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and with support from a broad range of government, academic, business and environmental organizations from across Saskatchewan, Economic Development Regina welcomes the opportunity to bring the new Canada Water Agency to Regina.

Wascana Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks at 930 hectares.

PHOTO : GREG HUSZ AR

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Contents

Regina’s Advantage

Meet Regina

Partners

Regina has the skills, knowledge and talent to ensure the success of the Canada Water Agency.

Located in Treaty 4 Territory and Homeland to the Métis, we’re no strangers to the importance of water stewardship.

Meet Regina’s long list of supporters who will actively contribute to welcoming the headquarters for the Canada Water Agency.

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Our Water Story

Indigenous Partnership

Water and Climate Expertise

Life in Regina

Headquarters in Regina

By combining Indigenous ways of knowledge with modern technology, Saskatchewan has built a water intensive economy in a land with little water.

Regina is proud to be home to the First Nations University of Canada.

Regina-based researchers work with their peers around the world in sharing knowledge of water management practices and climate research.

Selecting a home for the Canada Water Agency is about more than finding a place for research.

Join the Crowd: Regina ranks as one of the best cities for Corporate Offices in North America.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER IS INGRAINED IN WHO WE ARE, OUR WAY OF LIFE, AND OUR LIVELIHOOD.

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Regina’s Advantage Find out the top seven reasons Regina will be an outstanding home for the Canada Water Agency to successfully advance our nation’s freshwater objectives.

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Top Talent

Location Advantage

People ARE our most important asset.

Regina, one of Canada’s beautiful capital cities, is located in the heart of the Prairies and in the middle of our nation.

Saskatchewan has a large concentration of Canada’s water workforce. They have the skills, knowledge and talent to ensure the success of the Canada Water Agency. Beyond water, Regina also boasts many corporate headquarters, including Farm Credit Canada, a self-sustaining Federal Crown Canada that supports the Canadian agriculture sector.

Our province is one of the few places impacted by floods, droughts, water shortages and water quality issues.

In spite of that, Regina is in the center of one of the greatest food producing regions in the world. The province is also leading the generational Diefenbaker project that would reinforce Canada’s position as a leader in global food security by irrigating up to 500,000 acres of land.

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Research Advantage From 1935 to 2008, Regina was home to the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration, considered a world leader in water research, new technologies and sustainable water development.

That legacy lives on. Its legacy is our knowledge centers including, the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan, the Global Institute of Water Security, Global Water Futures, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, First Nations University of Canada and the Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative.

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Partnership with Indigenous People

A Great Place to Live

Regina is home to the First Nations University of Canada, the oldest First Nations Post-Secondary education institution in Canada.

Choosing a location for the Canadian Water Agency is not just about finding the best place to do research.

Together, we can help strengthen the unique identity and brand of Canada’s national community by advancing the goal of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Integrating the work of the Canada Water Agency with the First Nations University of Canada and the University of Regina will blend traditional Indigenous knowledge with western science to address critical water issues for the nation.

It’s about finding a great place to live, work, study and play.

Regina ranks among Canada’s top cities for sunshine, median family income, diversity and youth.

We’re also home to one of North America’s largest urban parks, Canada’s longest running symphony orchestra and we have one of the shortest commute times.

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A Place of Canadian Values A national collaborative agency requires a community-minded province.

Much like our proposal, this city and province are built on core Canadian values of inclusion, fairness, and hard work. Saskatchewan people dream big dreams and take pride in their achievements that have helped shaped the nation.

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An Excellent Fit This is the best location for the Canada Water Agency to successfully advance our nation’s freshwater objectives.

Regina is a city where we overcome obstacles.

It’s where business ideas flourish, and grow into reality.

It’s the city where one’s passion is encouraged to break through. It’s a city of opportunity, where ideas are supported and roadblocks removed. Regina is a city where working together to overcome the odds for the good of the community is who we are.

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Meet Regina Regina has the history, partnerships, commitment and unique advantages to lead this generational opportunity.

Located in Treaty 4 Territory and Homeland to the Métis, we’re no strangers to the importance of water stewardship.

From the First peoples calling the prairies home, to many generations since, the importance of water is ingrained in who we are, our way of life, and our livelihood.

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Our Water Story Regina is built on strong values. Big dreams.

A sense of purpose. Long before sustainability became popular, it was part of our DNA. That’s because working with nature on the prairies was about survival.

It’s why our ancestors dug a lake and planted hundreds of thousands of trees – all by hand. And even though we’ve grown, changed and become more diverse, we continue to create a city that reflects the values that make us great.

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We’ve achieved the unexpected By combining Indigenous ways of knowing with modern technology, Saskatchewan has built a water intensive economy in a land of little water. . We’ve built secure drinking water supplies for growing cities in a region of frequent droughts. . Despite lower average annual rainfall than Texas, we’ve built a thriving agriculture sector. . With few natural bodies of water, we’ve built solution potash mines that use up to 60,000 cubic metres of water per day.

Our long history in water management has taught us a great deal. In turn, we have a great deal to offer the Canada Water Agency.

As home to the former Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) – Canada’s original water management agency – Regina led the way in developing water conservation techniques that have since been exported around the world.

This heritage of water management and climate adaptation continues today at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada, where worldclass researchers build on our legacy of ensuring that Saskatchewan, Canada and the world have sustainable freshwater resources for the 21st century and beyond.

Water Management OUR LONG HISTORY IN WATER MANAGEMENT HAS TAUGHT US A GREAT DEAL . IN TURN, WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO OFFER THE CANADA WATER AGENCY.

The dust bowl drought of the 1930s remains a dark chapter in western Canada’s history. Massive dust clouds made settlement and subsequent agricultural progress nearly impossible for several years.

Since then, there have been more droughts on the prairies, some even worse than those experienced in the 1930s.

However, thanks to the efforts by the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), world-class development in dryland farming, water management and irrigation has better positioned Saskatchewan not just to weather droughts, but also become a reliable source of high-quality food for the world.

The PFRA was established in 1935 and although headquartered in Regina, its expertise has been shared worldwide. A trusted name in water management and climate mitigation, methods developed by the PFRA have been adopted in drought-stricken countries in Africa and in other parts of the world.

The PFRA’s crowning engineering achievement is the South Saskatchewan River Project (SSRP), which dammed the South Saskatchewan River and built a series of canals and pipelines to irrigate hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, and provide a secure source of water for the cities of Regina and Moose Jaw. The federal government closed the PFRA in a cost-cutting exercise in 2008. However, much of the PFRA’s expertise lives on in the Regina area as former staff have taken up research and policy positions with the University of Regina, local offices of the federal Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-food and with the provincial government.

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Indigenous Partnership “As stewards to the land, we must recognize we are nothing without water. Our sacred connection through water braids traditional knowledge found through the First Nations University of Canada and western science found at the University of Regina together that puts reconciliation into action, seeking lasting water solutions for all.”

EDMUND BELLEGARDE Tribal Chief & CEO File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council

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A Powerful Role THE CWA CAN PLAY A POWERFUL ROLE IN SHOWCASING CANADA AS A GLOBAL LEADER IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND RECONCILIATION.

Regina is home to the First Nations University of Canada.

We propose a Regina-headquartered CWA could be the catalyst for a new Institute of Sustainable Development and Resilience. It would be built on Indigenous values and traditional knowledge and help future generations ensure Canada’s ecosystems and communities are sustainable.

The CWA can play a powerful role in showcasing Canada as a global leader in environmental policy and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through meaningful consultation and Indigenous inclusion and engagement. It can transform reconciliation into “reconcili-action.”

Through this important work, a national water solutions repository could be established at the U of R to support the exchange, capture, preservation, protection, transference, and distribution of data and information as it relates to research, technology, traditional knowledge, expertise, best practices, environmental impact assessment, and meaningful consultation.

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Water and Climate Expertise Regina-based researchers work with their peers around the world in sharing knowledge of water management practices and climate research.

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A Global Leader in Water and Climate Research A Canada Water Agency headquartered in Regina would benefit from a climate change and climate adaptation research cluster at the University of Regina.

In addition to the work of individual researchers, the campus is home to: . The Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities ( IEESC ) . The Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative ( PARC ) . The Institute of Environmental Change and Society ( IECS ) . The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS )

UNIVERSIT Y OF REGINA

Home to Canada’s Top Water Research and Greatest Skilled Water Workforce

The U of R has campuses located in Regina and Saskatoon on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories. These are the ancestral lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakoda, and Lakota nations and the homeland of the Métis.

The University of Saskatchewan is a partner with the University of Regina and the other supporters of the Canada Water Agency.

To date, the University of Regina has collaborated on water and/or climate change research with 27 Canadian universities coast-to-coast. This is in addition to collaborative efforts with researchers in 50 different countries around the world on freshwater and climate change research.

Adjacent to the University of Regina main campus is Innovation Place, which offers abundant office space and extensive research tenant amenities.

Innovation Place hosts two U of R research centres in freshwater and climate action research (PARC and IEESC) as well as the U of R’s Greenhouse Gas Technology Centre. It is also the home of the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Regina-based facilities and the Petroleum Technology Research Centre. Innovation Place’s tenants also include a range of private sector engineering, IT, agri-food, consulting and other services.

SASK ATCHEWAN POLY TECHNIC Regina is home to one of the campuses of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the province’s leading technical education institution. Saskatchewan Polytechnic works alongside the province’s universities and contributes significantly to the province’s heritage of water stewardship through ongoing applied research and close work with Indigenous communities on water security. SaskPolytech graduates play a critical role in integrated resource management throughout Saskatchewan and beyond.

In nearby Saskatoon, the Global Water Futures is the largest and most cited freshwater research program in the world, currently leading 64 programs with 18 universities, 190 professors, 970 graduate students and researchers.

Also located in Saskatchewan is the Global Institute for Water Security (GIWS) at the University of Saskatchewan. GIWS is the top water resources research institute in Canada and one of the most advanced hydrology research centres in the world.

GIWS is dedicated to helping protect our precious freshwater resources needed for the world’s growing demand for sustainable food production, mitigating the risk of water-related disasters such as floods, droughts, and fires, predicting and forecasting extremes of global change through the use of advanced remote sensing and modelling techniques, and co-creating traditional knowledge with western science to empower Indigenous communities in protecting water health.

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RESEARCH PROGRAMS UNIVERSITIES PROFESSORS GRADUATE STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS

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Life in Regina Selecting a home for the Canada Water Agency is about more than finding a place for research.

It’s about finding a great place to live, work, study and play. At just over 260,000 people, Regina is big enough to be home to all the things that make a city great – and small enough to foster genuine connections between them.

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Work Hard, Play Hard We brave the cold, and make the most out of our hot, sunny summers.

No matter the weather, you’ll find people out enjoying seasonal activities – from taking a dip in a local outdoor pool on a summer day, to cross-country skiing in beautiful Wascana Park in the winter.

LIVE Work and life, balanced. No traffic and a city with one of the highest disposable incomes in Canada. Regina ranks as one of the most affordable cities in Canada.

. The two-song commute: It takes only two songs to get you anywhere in the city!

. Regina is the 3rd sunniest city in Canada

WORK A diverse and growing labour force. Regina’s economy is robust, the city is filled with audacious entrepreneurs and talent, and we have an unparalleled prairie work ethic.

Striking the perfect balance of city life and closecommunity feel, Regina has a high standard of living that is welcoming to anyone and everyone. It’s in our prairie nature! Home to major head offices and small businesses alike, Regina is an attractive location for skilled workers across the labour market.

PLAY Saskatchewan has 100,000 lakes and rivers, 25 provincial parks and two national parks to explore.

Regina is a vibrant city – home to a 100-year-old symphony orchestra and some of the nation’s most passionate sporting enthusiasts. From our serene park created at the heart of the city to exhilarating events and festivals, Regina offers memorable experiences for all.

WE’RE YOUNG Regina is one of the youngest cities in Canada (median age: 35.6) WE’RE AFFORDABLE Regina ranks as one of the most affordable cities in Canada

WE’RE THRIVING 3rd highest median family income ($84,447) WE’RE INNOVATIVE We have one of the most diverse economies in Canada

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Headquarters in Regina Join the Crowd: Regina ranks as one of the best cities for Corporate Offices in North America.

Source: KPMG City Competitiveness Index, https://citycompetitivenessindex.kpmg.com/home

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Build on our Legacy Home to major head offices and small businesses alike, Regina is an attractive location for the Canada Water Agency.

Regina is home to the headquarters of major institutions such as: . Farm Credit Canada . Mosaic . Canada Life . Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board . Public Employees Benefits Agency . TD Asset Management . Saskatchewan Government Insurance . …and more

A United Nations Tree City of the World EDUCATION Regina offers strong educational opportunities for both employees and their families. Our institutions have become recognized locally, nationally and internationally for their quality and accessibility.

Highlights include:

. Undergraduate and post-graduate studies at the University of Regina and First Nations University of Canada

. Technical education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology

. International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and adapted education programs at the city’s numerous public and separate high schools

. Luther College, a 107-year-old private high school.

With a focus on academic excellence, Luther can count two Nobel Prize winners and five Rhodes scholars among its alumni.

EN FRANÇAIS, S’IL VOUS PLAÎT!

. Regina is home to Farm Credit Canada (FCC), a strong, self-sustaining federal crown committed to supporting a vibrant and sustainable Canadian agriculture and food sector. With a team of 2,000 employees, FCC works in collaboration (in both official languages) with the rest of Canada. While the majority of Regina residents primarily speak English, the province is home to a thriving Francophone community.

. Regina boasts 14 French immersion elementary schools and 4 French immersion high schools.

In addition, there are several Francophone elementary and high schools available, with an announcement of a new Francophone school scheduled to open in 2023.

500,000+ HAND-PLANTED TREES

Regina has more than 500,000 hand-planted trees that help with flooding and natural cooling.

–3,330

MID-SIZED VEHICLES These trees remove the C0 2 equivalent of 3,330 mid-sized vehicles from the atmosphere each year.

100% RENEWABLE BY 2050

Our urban forest supports our goal of becoming 100 per cent renewable city by 2050.

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Rally Together Together with our partners, we support Regina’s proposal as the ideal location for the headquarters of federal government’s proposed Canada Water Agency.

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Bid Partners

SANDR A MASTERS Mayor City of Regina

CHIEF EDMUND BELLEGARDE File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Chief and CEO

DR . BOB K AYSEAS Professor, VicePresident Academic, Interim President of the First Nations University of Canada

DR. THOMAS CHASE Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Regina

DR . LARRY ROSIA President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic

OUR SUPPORTERS . AGT Food and Ingredients

. Regina Chamber of Commerce

. City of Regina

. Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

. Ducks Unlimited

. Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association

. Economic Development Regina

. Saskatchewan Irrigation Projects Association

. File Hill Qu’appelle Tribal Council

. Saskatchewan Mining Association

. First Nations University of Canada

. Saskatchewan Polytechnic

. Global Water Futures

. Saskatoon Regional Economic

. Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce . Michael Kram, MP Regina-Wascana . Mosaic Potash . Municipalities of Saskatchewan . NSBA . Prairie Adaptation Research Collaborative

Development Authority . The Right Honourable Paul Martin, PC CC QC . Tourism Regina . University of Regina . University of Saskatchewan . Métis Nation–Saskatchewan

REGINA IS THE CIT Y WHERE WE OVERCOME OBSTACLES. THE CIT Y WHERE BUSINESS IDEAS FLOURISH, AND GROW INTO REALIT Y.

Economic Development Regina Inc. info@economicdevelopmentregina.com P: TF:

30 6-789 -5099 1-80 0 - 661-5099

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