Swim Drink Fish Blog
Read the latest updates and news releases about community science, water monitoring, Artists for Water, and more.
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.
Did you know this is a monumental week for your swimmable drinkable fishable water?
Today, I am sharing something I have never shared outside our office before. Why? Because events are unfolding this week that will affect millions of Canadians for years to come. And I thought you’d want to know.
Environmentalists in court to demand proper review of nuclear risks
Lawyers for environmental groups ask a Federal Court today to order the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) to redo its environmental review of Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) plan to rebuild and run the aging Darlington nuclear reactors for three more decades.
Waterkeeper comments on latest rollback to CEAA - "Designated Project" Regulations
Waterkeeper writes to the Government of Canada warning them that proposed changes to federal environmental assessment rules pose a threat to the environment and to Canadians. The changes are part of a broader dismantling of environmental law and science. They eliminate reviews for major industrial developments and fail to offer the public any kind of safety net to prevent serious environmental problems.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper comments on Review of Toronto Port Authority Terms of Reference
Systemic problems with the Toronto Port Authority and the legislation that governs it have created problems on the Toronto waterfront and for the city as a whole. Read our analysis for more information.
Waterkeeper comments on the proposal to ban a bridge to Toronto Islands
The "fixed link issue" is about much more than merely building a bridge to an island. As Waterkeeper noted in our comments during the environmental assessment, to build the link is to fortify the TCCA?s foothold on toronto's waterfront. The EA process did little to justify the continued operations of an airport in our harbour, which was the real crux of the issue.
Fixed Link Environmental Assessment is incomplete
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper finds that the Toronto Port Authority environmental assessment is incomplete, contains questionable statements, and that transparency and public process have been lacking.