Message from the CWQA Board of Directors President
Happy Holidays!
At this time of the year, it is always great to go back and reflect on what CWQA has been doing. The year started off with a bang because we were asked to testify in the House of Commons before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development with respect to the Freshwater Study in Canada. After this meeting, the CWQA staff was asked to participate on the Private Well Water Committee with Health Canada as they review our education program that the CWQA offers for endorsement in their documents. Then the connections continued as staff was asked to participate at the National Freshwater Data Strategy Workshop with the newly created team from the Canada Water Agency.
Staff continues to reach out to provincial authorities to raise awareness of the good work that CWQA members do every day and to bring attention to the training that is offered, and push to get it certified by a governing body, so water treatment becomes recognized as a required certification in Canada.
All of this would not have been possible without the help and guidance from our Government Relations partner – First Lake Solutions. Both Rob Leforte and Zoie Sutherland have helped the CWQA be recognized and consulted on water treatment solutions in Canada.
CWQA events have continued with a successful tradeshow and road trip this year in Ontario, where the attendees were able to see and tour the Walkerton Clean Water Centre, Cowbell Brewery and the Sifto Salt processing facility. Since 2025 is marked as the 65th anniversary of the Canadian Water Quality Association we are marking it with three events across Canada.
Registration is open now for the Groundwater Expo 2025 to be held in Truro, where for the first time, 4 associations are coming together to offer education, networking and tradeshow opportunities. If you have not already, you should sign up to attend this collaborative event.
The Annual General Meeting, tradeshow, and education forum will be held in Collingwood, ON at the Living Water Resort and Spa and there will also be a friendly golf tournament held on May 29th in the morning before we gather at the tradeshow and welcome reception. Watch for the registration to open for this event.
Lastly, we will gather in Vancouver in November for another momentous event to celebrate the 65 years of service to the water treatment professionals in Canada.
Finally, this fall the CWQA offered it’s first instructor led Certified Install Technician training and as I write this summary it appears that we could have another 38 graduates into the CI certification program. I wish all of the participants good luck with their exams.
This is my second time as President of this association and I feel very strongly that the CWQA has ramped up our image through a new website, more engagement and continued education and advocacy. I know in May when I hand over the gavel to your incoming President Brad Vincent that we are heading in the right direction.
Thank you for your continued support of the water industry in Canada and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Aaron Biffert
EcoWater Systems Calgary
President, Canadian Water Quality Association
