What are some of the major causes of water pollution in Canada and what progress has Canada made in managing water pollution? Provide some indication of the severity of air pollution in Canada. Water pollution is not a major problem nationwide, although it may be of concern in some locations. The main causes of water pollution in Canada include acid rain, groundwater contamination and impure wastewater. As previously stated, Alberta's oil sands are set to cause increasing levels of acid rain which will certainly lead to increased water contamination in the area. Acid rain will cause further acidification of Canadian lakes and rivers. In addition to contributing to acid rain and high levels of metals in water, oil production sites can also cause significant damage due to human error and runoff. A case in point is the 2007 case involving the Athabasca River. Through human fault, energy magnate Suncor poured 9.8 million gallons of oil sands wastewater into the river, causing adverse effects for people and wildlife in the area.[5] The Athabasca River can also be used as an example of oil sands runoff. In addition to contributing to acid rain and high levels of metals in water, oil production sites can also cause significant damage through human fault and runoff. A case in point is the 2007 case involving the Athabasca River. Through human fault, energy magnate Suncor poured 9.8 million gallons of oil sands wastewater into the river, causing adverse effects for people and wildlife in the area.[5] The Athabasca River can also be used as an example of oil sands runoff. In Canada, all three levels of government (federal, provincial/territorial and municipal) have roles and responsibilities with respect to freshwater management. The......middle of paper......ng powers and can therefore be implemented within a few months. In theory, the same is true of cap-and-trade systems, but in practice they tend to be much more complex. It takes longer to develop the necessary regulations and they are more susceptible to lobbying and loopholes. Cap-and-trade also requires the creation of a market for emissions trading. A groundbreaking study shows that Canada's economy can still grow by nearly 20% over the next ten years, while the country dramatically cuts greenhouse gas pollution by about half. The study shows that Canada could take decisive action and still enjoy strong net job growth and other economic benefits. By 2020, Canadians will save more than $5.5 billion each year at the gas pump through more efficient vehicles, more public transportation and shorter commutes. (http://www.davidsuzuki.org)