I have blogged about the Navigable Waters Protection Act previously (here , here & here ), but it occurs to me that our federal election is a unique opportunity we have to protect our rivers! I'll explain below.

The NWPA is the federal law that protects any waterway that is navigable (ie can be paddled by canoe or kayak) from random construction that might impact its navigability or its environment. The federal conservatives tried to change the act last session to remove the need for an environmental impact assessment for "minor works" (which includes many bridges and dams??) - those projects that could most impact the waterways paddlers love to paddle.

Last time, the conservatives tried to slip the act change "under the radar" and did not invite environmental or paddling groups to the committee meetings until less than 24 hours beforehand. Tsk, tsk! Project preponents received lots of notice and were able to make presentations to the committee. Fortunately, the changes to the NWPA died with the call of this election. But, we can be sure that the same thing will be tried again once the new government is formed.

Here's where you can help ... When ANY federal candidate knocks on your door to get your vote, ask him/her where they stand on the issue. Make sure they know your opinion before they leave. Then, whomever forms the government, all the opposition parties will be more aware of the issue and keep it in the public light. Underhanded, "below the radar" issues like the gutting of the NWPA tend to die away in the bright light of publicity and public outcry. We just need to get the issue into the public light, and keep it there!

If you are looking for other ways you can help, or to learn even more about the issue, visit www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca.