In the Every Lake, Every River: Restoring the Navigable Waters Protection Act report, the Council of Canadians is calling on the Trudeau government to keep its election campaign promise to “restore lost protections” to water by immediately restoring the protections eliminated from the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA). The report highlights how the new NWPA is impacting local economies, Indigenous peoples’ rights and waterways from coast to coast.
The Council of Canadians is calling on the Trudeau government to restore and enhance the NWPA by:
- Updating the NWPA so that all lakes, rivers and waterways are fully protected.
- Reinstating and strengthening federal scrutiny of large pipelines and powerlines under the NWPA and assessment of waterways under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
- Hold public consultations and independent expert panels and incorporate feedback to strengthen the NWPA.
- Consulting with Indigenous peoples and incorporate the obligation to obtain free, prior and informed consent into the NWPA so that Indigenous treaty and water rights are respected and a nation-to-nation relationship is truly established.
- Implementing strict safeguards for waterways within the framework of the United Nations-recognized human right to water and sanitation.
