moved for leave to introduce Bill C-497, Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (St. Croix River, Restigouche River and Saint John River).
Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to wish everyone a happy Earth Day. For Earth Day, we would certainly like to make sure we pass clean rivers on to our children and grandchildren.
This is why I am pleased to add the St. Croix River and the Restigouche River to the navigable waters listed in the schedule to the act. I would also like to replace the upstream point of the Saint John River listed in the schedule to the act.
It was on the shore of the St. Croix River in 1604 that Samuel de Champlain established the first European colony in North America north of Florida. Over the years, the waters of the St. Croix River have carried aboriginal people, Acadian settlers, British loyalists, logs floating to sawmills and shipyards, canoeists and so on.
Originally, the Restigouche River was used as a waterway. It provided food for the Micmacs and the Maliseet. Today, Atlantic salmon still travel up the river through the clear waters of about 60 different salmon pools.
There is also the beautiful Saint John River. These rivers must be protected.
We cannot allow these rivers to be lost. The Conservatives are going the wrong way. These bills are important.
Thank you for giving me an opportunity to introduce this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)