| Navigable Waters Protection Act Changes | 24 June 08 |
 The Canadian government's Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities is proposing changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA). The changes are cause for concern for public interest groups and First Nation communities, as they would significantly reduce triggers for federal Environmental Assessment (EA) processes. Currently, the NWPA is one of the primary triggers for federal Environmental Assessment of proposed projects in Canada. The amendments include changing the definition of "navigable waters" to exclude 'minor' waters from the Act. The government is considering deletion of specific reference to each of the four 'named' works under the Act (bridges, dams, causeways, and booms), which currently automatically trigger an EA. Gaile Whelan Enns, Director of Manitoba Wildlands commented that "Water is a federal responsibility when it comes to environmental assessment. What would it mean if the federal government were to have significantly diminished interest in, for instance, hydro dams or bridges for access by forestry companies? What does this mean for Manitoba hydro's system, which currently lacks permanent environment licenses?" It is unclear what public notification occurred with respect to input from the public, stakeholders and First Nation communities. The list of briefs and witnesses who presented before the Standing Committee includes a handful of NGOs, and no representatives from either Indian and Northern Affairs Canada or First Nations. View June 2008 Standing Committee on Transport Report, Infrastructure and Communities, Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act View June 6, 2008 Daily Observer article View June 10, 2008 Green Party of Canada press release View comments on proposed NWPA amendments at KNet (Keewaytinook Okimakanak, a Council of Northern Ontario Chiefs) Sources: Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Green Party of Canada, KNet, Daily Observer |
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