Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
A new Fisheries Act is coming
On April 16, 2018, the new Fisheries Act was sent to committee. As the Act makes its way through Parliament, Swim Drink Fish’s Gabrielle Parent-Doliner and Mark Mattson weigh in on what the law could mean for people in Canada.
Recommendations to parliamentary committee reviewing Bill C-69
This submission to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development is offered to help its review of Bill C-69, which includes major transformations to the environmental assessment process as well as improvements to navigation protections.
Proposed changes to Canada's environmental legislation
Today, the Canadian federal government proposed significant overhauls to environmental legislation. The proposed changes must be passed by Parliament before coming into effect.
Recommendations to the Government of Canada to strengthen federal environmental law
In June 2017, the Government of Canada released a Discussion Paper asking Canadians to submit comments that will improve federal protections for the environment. The Paper marks the one-year mark in an ongoing review of environmental assessment, energy, nuclear, fisheries, and navigation laws in Canada. Our response focuses on our high-level response to the Discussion Paper. In particular, we share our concerns about the lack of progress being made to protect navigation rights in Canada.
Government responds to Parliamentary Committee report on the Fisheries Act
Sweeping changes made to the Fisheries Act in 2012 radically reduced protections for fish, fish habitat, and water across Canada. The federal government initiated a review of the act in 2016, including online consultations and a Standing Committee hearing. The Government of Canada released its official report in June 2017, promising more consultation and changes to the legislation.
Government responds to committee report on navigation rights
The government proposes additional consultations and changes that will strengthen the legislation.
Parliamentary Committee releases report on navigation protection review
The report contains eleven recommendations to the federal government, but it does advocate for the significant changes recommended by environmental and Indigenous experts.
Parliamentary Committee releases report on the Fisheries Act
We presented to the Standing Committee last November. On February 21, 2017, the Committee published its report. On February 24, 2017, the report was received by the House of Commons.
Boat show stories inspired our latest letter to Transport Canada to protect navigation rights in Canada
Thanks to some powerful stories and great conversations at the recent Toronto International Boat Show, we were able to submit one more letter to Transport Canada to help protect your environmental rights.
Submission to Transport Canada on navigation rights in Canada
Thanks to some powerful stories and great conversations at the recent Toronto International Boat Show, we were able to submit one more letter to Transport Canada to help protect your environmental rights.