moved for leave to introduce Bill C-535, An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Vallée-de-l’Or, Anishinabe Aki and Eeyou Istchee regions).
Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to speak today to introduce Bill C-535, An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Vallée-de-l’Or, Anishinabe Aki and Eeyou Istchee regions). I want to thank my colleague from Abitibi—Témiscamingue for seconding the bill.
As everyone knows, in northern Quebec we are quite attached to our lakes and rivers. We know that we cannot take them for granted. They are an integral part of our lives: our work, our play, our economy, our social well-being, our history and our common future.
In the previous budget bills, the Conservatives took away the protection of these important sources of water and life. With this bill, I am proposing a way to start repairing the damage. I am calling on my colleagues from all parties to support this bill and to help us, as members of the official opposition, right the wrongs this government has done to us.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)