moved for leave to introduce Bill C-595, an act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Somass River).
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that would extend environmental protection to the Somass River. This legislation would restore the river to the schedule of waterways protected under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
The government's recent overhaul of this act allows for the construction of dams and bridges on most Canadian waters without having to notify the government and without needing approval from the Minister of Transport. This means that waterways like the Somass River are now unprotected against development, leaving residing fish and their dependent ecosystems vulnerable to habitat destruction.
I encourage all members of the House to support this legislation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)