We will implement Jack Layton and the New Democrats' comprehensive new Clean Water Act. This will:

Establish enforceable guidelines for drinking water quality, starting with standards for First Nations reserves, and working with provinces and territories to make sure that all Canadians have clean, safe water in their homes and communities.

Improve water quality monitoring and the enforcement of water quality standards by funding and implementing a National Water Strategy, including a comprehensive Water Quality Audit, in conjunction with provinces, territories and First Nations to ensure clean and safe water for all.

Invest in new municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, and establish national standards to require a minimum of secondary treatment for all Canadian municipalities.

Ban bulk fresh water exports from Canada by federal law.

Improve the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Set mandatory water efficiency standards for appliances and begin to phase out inefficient technologies.

Create a $10 million Safe Water Fund to address issues of emerging pollutants and help communities monitor water quality.

Canada has a responsibility to future generations to protect our waters, lands, fish and wildlife. Jack Layton and his team of New Democrats will:

Reduce the oil spill response times in the Arctic by completing a response gap analysis and investing in federal and private sector capacity speed up response times.

Deal with toxic industrial effluent by strengthening the enforcement of existing regulations.

Provide national and international leadership to prevent build-up and counteract the harmful effects of marine debris.

Provide the resources to ensure existing legislation regarding oily bilge water discharge and management will be effectively enforced.

Enact the New Democrats' Blue-Green Algae Proliferation Prevention Act, which addresses the biggest sources of the blue-green algae problem that plagues Canada's lakes and rivers. We will:

• Ban the supply and sale of phosphorus in dishwashing detergent as initiated by Manitoba's NDP Government.
• Provide compensation to agricultural landowners for expanding "buffer zones" along waterways in which they are prohibited from using harmful nutrients.
• Promote guidelines and best practices for home and cottage owners and for farmers.

Implement a parks and wilderness plan that reflects Canadians' strong commitment to preserve our natural heritage. We will:

• Complete the National Parks system.
• Establish a nationally representative system of Marine Protected Areas and complete the Integrated Management Plans of our three oceans.
• Ensure that the integrity of parks and protected areas is not compromised by industrial activity or inappropriate development.
• Establish a conservation fund to preserve important natural wildlife habitat.
• Improve endangered species protection.
• Work with the provinces and territories to encourage research and develop strategies to minimize the effects of climate change on communities, vegetation and wildlife.
• Implement the National Action Plan on Aquatic Invasive Species and ensure that acceptable treatment for ballast water is implemented and enforced.

In collaboration with provinces, territories and First Nations, we will work toward a model of sustainable forest management in Canada's boreal forests.

This will include establishing appropriate protected areas, and developing and promoting a forest stewardship program that will sustain our boreal forests and our forest industries, with input from stakeholders.

We will establish the Environment Commissioner as a separate and independent Officer of Parliament to provide effective oversight of the government's environmental performance.