NDP continues action to protect waterways from Conservative attacks

OTTAWA – Although the Conservatives have decided that our country’s bodies of water are not worth protecting, New Democrats are continuing a campaign to restore environmental protection to all of Canada’s lakes and rivers.

“The Conservatives obliterated environmental regulations that have been safeguarding our lakes and rivers for more than 100 years,” said NDP Environment critic Megan Leslie (Halifax). “This means that the onus is now on municipalities, First Nations communities and environmental groups to ensure that developers respect the environment.”

The Navigable Waters Protection Act was previously considered a model for environmental protection. Since 1882, any project that could potentially impact the right of Canadians to navigate Canada’s lakes and rivers was subject to this Act. After the Conservatives replaced it with a new law, fewer than 2% of Canada’s waterways are now protected. Recreational fishermen, eco-tourists and cottagers are among the Canadians who will feel the impact of this reckless change.

“While the Conservatives are gutting environmental protections, the NDP is taking steps to protect our waterways for all Canadians to enjoy,” said deputy Environment critic Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois – Salaberry).