DonAndersen Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The idiot rewrote the fisheries act and now this: Don Subject: Comments, Recommendations and Analysis of the proposed amendment to the Navigable Waters Protection Act Hello all, As you may know, the federal government tabled its 2009 Budget (The Budget Implementation Act, Bill C-10). , The budget act includes sweeping changes to one of Canada's important laws, the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA). Lake Ontario Waterkeeper researched the proposed changes to the NWPA, and is offering a comment on the changes for your information. This summary, along with the background below, is available in a printable pdf file on our website at www.waterkeeper.ca/NWPA Specific concerns with the legislation 1.. The new Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) eliminates environmental assessments for development projects on Canadian waterways, with very few exceptions. 2.. The new NWPA means decisions about Canada's waterways will be based on politics and financial clout rather than science or long-term socio-economic needs. 3.. The new NWPA divides Canada's rivers into those worth protecting and those not worth protecting. 4.. The "class" lists may be drafted by the Cabinet in secrecy, with no public consultation, scientific basis, or opportunity for appeal. Bigger picture concerns: 1.. The legislation fails to recognize that navigation is a public right, stemming from both Aboriginal and European history. The new NWPA mistakenly presumes that the Government of Canada and its friends, rather than Canadians, own and control our rivers. 2.. The legislation is part of an ongoing attack on science, transparency, and fairness when it comes to making decisions that affect Canada's environment. We are seeing similar efforts to gut the Fisheries Act, environmental assessment legislation, and the Environmental Bill of Rights among others. This attack blames "red tape" for standing in the way of progress. In reality, these laws are the only things standing between citizens and a massive sell-off of our waterways from coast-to-coast, be it through pollution, development, or diversion. Recommendations: 1.. Decouple the new NWPA from the Budget Implementation Act, 2009 so that there can be proper, thorough, and transparent consultation with the public. 2.. Restore the environmental assessment trigger. 3.. Remove the Minister's discretion when it comes to major projects, such as the four named works in the existing legislation: bridge, boom, dam or causeway. 4.. Eliminate the system for dividing up Canada's rivers or classifying different types of "works". In the alternative, create these classes only after significant public consultation and scientific review, allow for exemptions in special cases, and explicitly maintain the existing common law and traditional right to use navigable waters. Additional Resources a.. May 8, 2008: NWPA is the focus of Living at the Barricades b.. May 12, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's backgrounder on NWPA amendment process: c.. May 12, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's written submission to the Transportation Committee d.. May 29, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's presentation with Q&A at Transportation Committee e.. June 12, 2008: Trans Committee presents recommendations to Parliament and promises public consultation f.. January 27, 2009: NWPA amendments are buried in the Budget Implementation Act Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has also prepared a report detailing the changes proposed in the amended Navigable Waters Protection Act. Yours in conservation, Patti MacAhonic, BA (Adult Ed), MBA Executive Director B.C. Wildlife Federation 101 - 3060 Norland Ave. Burnaby, BC V5B 3A6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfishfairwx Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 The idiot rewrote the fisheries act and now this: Don Subject: Comments, Recommendations and Analysis of the proposed amendment to the Navigable Waters Protection Act Hello all, As you may know, the federal government tabled its 2009 Budget (The Budget Implementation Act, Bill C-10). , The budget act includes sweeping changes to one of Canada's important laws, the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA). Lake Ontario Waterkeeper researched the proposed changes to the NWPA, and is offering a comment on the changes for your information. This summary, along with the background below, is available in a printable pdf file on our website at www.waterkeeper.ca/NWPA Specific concerns with the legislation 1.. The new Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) eliminates environmental assessments for development projects on Canadian waterways, with very few exceptions. 2.. The new NWPA means decisions about Canada's waterways will be based on politics and financial clout rather than science or long-term socio-economic needs. 3.. The new NWPA divides Canada's rivers into those worth protecting and those not worth protecting. 4.. The "class" lists may be drafted by the Cabinet in secrecy, with no public consultation, scientific basis, or opportunity for appeal. Bigger picture concerns: 1.. The legislation fails to recognize that navigation is a public right, stemming from both Aboriginal and European history. The new NWPA mistakenly presumes that the Government of Canada and its friends, rather than Canadians, own and control our rivers. 2.. The legislation is part of an ongoing attack on science, transparency, and fairness when it comes to making decisions that affect Canada's environment. We are seeing similar efforts to gut the Fisheries Act, environmental assessment legislation, and the Environmental Bill of Rights among others. This attack blames "red tape" for standing in the way of progress. In reality, these laws are the only things standing between citizens and a massive sell-off of our waterways from coast-to-coast, be it through pollution, development, or diversion. Recommendations: 1.. Decouple the new NWPA from the Budget Implementation Act, 2009 so that there can be proper, thorough, and transparent consultation with the public. 2.. Restore the environmental assessment trigger. 3.. Remove the Minister's discretion when it comes to major projects, such as the four named works in the existing legislation: bridge, boom, dam or causeway. 4.. Eliminate the system for dividing up Canada's rivers or classifying different types of "works". In the alternative, create these classes only after significant public consultation and scientific review, allow for exemptions in special cases, and explicitly maintain the existing common law and traditional right to use navigable waters. Additional Resources a.. May 8, 2008: NWPA is the focus of Living at the Barricades b.. May 12, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's backgrounder on NWPA amendment process: c.. May 12, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's written submission to the Transportation Committee d.. May 29, 2008: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's presentation with Q&A at Transportation Committee e.. June 12, 2008: Trans Committee presents recommendations to Parliament and promises public consultation f.. January 27, 2009: NWPA amendments are buried in the Budget Implementation Act Lake Ontario Waterkeeper has also prepared a report detailing the changes proposed in the amended Navigable Waters Protection Act. Yours in conservation, Patti MacAhonic, BA (Adult Ed), MBA Executive Director B.C. Wildlife Federation 101 - 3060 Norland Ave. Burnaby, BC V5B 3A6 this was posted by "Harps" and has links to who we have to contact to sort this out, if possible. http://flyfishcalgary.com/board/index.php?...t&pid=75805 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny5 Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 Yeah, just read about this in the FFWD newspaper. Absolutely ridiculous piece of politicking if I have ever seen it... Expect to see run of the river hydro showing up on all your favorite headwaters. Apparently already a few hundred applications to tap "unnavigable" waters in BC. Read more about some kayakers proving that these waterways are indeed navigable. http://www.ffwdweekly.com/article/news-vie...-navigate-3328/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny5 Posted February 25, 2009 Share Posted February 25, 2009 And here is a link that you can use to send an email out to your MP and other MPs voting on this issue... Let them know if you don't approve of removing the requirement for an environmental assessment of a river before putting up a "micro" hydro dam... http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca/action/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydropsyche Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 I just sent the following to the big "C"'s ...I'll keep this short. When a person is trying to decide who to vote for, it becomes an exercise of weighting issues against each other. I like this, I don't like that. I can live with this, I can't live with that. To each their own. If my interpretation of the proposed amendment to the NWPA is accurate, and if it passes into law, I will have to seriously reconsider my vote for the Conservatives in the next federal election. It may taint my view of conservative principles for a long time afterwards. This issue is important to me. Please don't think it will pass under the radar.... I hope it sends the appropriate message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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