In February 2018, the federal government tabled Bill C-69, which contained proposed amendments to the renamed Canadian Navigable Waters Act (formerly the Navigation Protection Act). The sweeping reforms included in Bill C-69 follow extensive consultation on the Navigation Protection Act and other federal environmental laws, and are intended to fulfill the government's commitments to "restore lost protections and incorporate modern safeguards" in federal legislation.
This brief was submitted to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development as part of their review of Bill C-69. The submission outlines West Coast Environmental Law Association’s recommendations for amendments needed to ensure that the Canadian Navigable Waters Act achieves objectives and safeguards waterways and public navigation rights in Canada.
To view West Coast’s submission on the new Impact Assessment Act in Bill C-69, click here.