Navigation Protection Act: open for public comment

Canadian rollbacks

Jan 13

Two participants paddling along the Don River in Manulife's annual Paddle The Don. (Photo by Ruby Pajares)

In response to overwhelming feedback from the community and First Nations organizations, the Government of Canada has extended its review of navigation rights.

From now until January 30, you can tell the Minister of Transport what you think about navigation rights and the Navigation Protection Act. Anyone who wishes to have their voices heard regarding navigable waters in Canada can do so by sending an email here: NPPHQ-PPNAC@tc.gc.ca.

Help protect navigable water. Share your boating story now!

The Navigation Protection Act - formerly the Navigable Waters Protection Act - is one of the oldest laws in Canada. Sweeping changes in 2009 - and again in 2012 - eliminated protections for the majority of navigable waters in Canada.

Last fall, the government, in its promise to review these changes, launched a site for people to submit written recommendations to a parliamentary committee. In all, 198 written briefs were submitted.

Increased public participation in this review process was one of the five recommendations Swim Drink Fish Canada/ Lake Ontario Waterkeeper made in December.