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.
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.
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.
Waterkeeper's comments on review of changes to the Fisheries Act
On November 14, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's founders, Mark Mattson and Krystyn Tully presented "9 Things the New Fisheries Act Must Do To Make Canada Healthy and Prosperous" on behalf of the organization, Fraser Riverkeeper, Fundy Baykeeper, North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, and Ottawa Riverkeeper. Here is what they presented.
Submission to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
On November 14, 2016, Lake Ontario Waterkeeper's founders, Mark Mattson and Krystyn Tully presented "9 Things the New Fisheries Act Must Do To Make Canada Healthy and Prosperous" on behalf of the organization, Fraser Riverkeeper, Fundy Baykeeper, North Saskatchewan Riverkeeper, and Ottawa Riverkeeper. Here is what they presented.
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.
MEDIA ADVISORY: 47 groups ask Federal Government to repeal changes to the Fisheries Act.
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is one of 47 conservationists, Indigenous leaders, scientists and streamkeepers, who signed on a letter organized by Northern Confluence and strongly support a call for the Government of Canada to reform the country's essential fisheries law, the Fisheries Act. Read the letter.
Government of Canada weakens Fisheries Act, again. (This time, it’s for the aquaculture industry)
Aquaculture facilities, like fish farms, pollute surrounding waters with pesticides, drugs and organic waste. The new regulations are intended to give more power to the aquaculture industry regulate itself.