Drought Archives - Canada's Ecofiscal Commission

Why stormwater user fees can reduce flooding risk and improve municipal finances

Jan 10 2018

Stormy fees: Stormwater user fees can reduce flooding risk and improve municipal finances

Ecofiscal’s latest report assesses how well-designed user fees for municipal water and wastewater services promote conservation, generate revenue, and improve water quality. The report, however, scoped out the third pillar of municipal water systems—stormwater services. This blog fills the gap by looking more closely at stormwater services and how user fees can reduce flooding risk […]

Know Thy Water: The First Commandment of Water Pricing

This week Metro Vancouver announced Stage 3 water restrictions banning the use of lawn sprinklers as reservoirs sit below 73%. As BC’s drought saga continues, Canadians are getting a first-hand lesson in the value of water. But do we really understand it—where our water comes from and the costs of over-use? B.C Drought Makes Water […]

Water Policy: Hot and Thirsty in British Columbia

British Columbia is parched and veiled in a haze of smoke and ash. Records for the number and size of wild fires, low water reservoir levels, and extreme temperatures have been smashed in recent weeks. The month of June is now predicted to be the hottest on record. Metro Vancouver, home to over half of […]

Water Pricing: Hard Lessons from Cali

Never Waste a Good Crisis: What Can We Learn from California? California’s extreme drought continues to make headlines. No doubt Canada will feel the ripple effects, for example, through potential shocks in our commodity markets. But is there anything we can actually take away from this disaster? Our perception of Canada as a water wealthy […]

An Open Letter from Economists on Canadian Carbon Pricing

Drought