Quebec Bar - For lawyers - Barreau du Québec

Training Catalog Bar - Continuing Education - For lawyers - Barreau du Québec
The reforms of water law in Quebec: Reflections on the consideration of climate change

Climate change is now a tangible impact across the globe. Although its manifestation is now acquired, it remains difficult, even risky, to predict in space and time that will create harmful impacts. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2008, the water resources of the watershed area of ​​St. Lawrence will not be spared. In this context risks but uncertain evidence, the use of the precautionary principle and the integrated management of water is essential. The reflection has the necessary perspective of community adaptation to climate change and raises the question of the role of water law in the management of water risks induced by this change. It is within this context that will be presented the new legal regimes and the new governance of water introduced in June 2009 by the Act to affirm the collective nature of water resources and to strengthen their protection, to see how new water law takes into account the water risks in a changing climate.

Paule Halley, Faculty of Law, University Laval

I Syltiane Goulet, the Directorate General of Legal Affairs and Legislative Department of Justice of Quebec