Bill C-444 (Historical)

An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act (water quality)

This bill was last introduced in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session, which ended in September 2019.

Sponsor

Denis Paradis  Liberal

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of May 1, 2019
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment requires the Minister of Foreign Affairs to undertake steps toward the possible amendment of the International Boundary Waters Treaty in order that not only the natural level and flow of boundary waters are taken into account, but also their quality.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

International Boundary Waters Treaty ActRoutine Proceedings

May 1st, 2019 / 3:25 p.m.
See context

Liberal

Denis Paradis Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-444, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act (water quality).

Madam Speaker, this bill would require the Minister of Foreign Affairs to undertake negotiations to amend the current International Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the United States.

This treaty dates back to 1909, so it is essential that it be amended to include new environmental standards, especially for water quality. For instance, it could include the establishment of buffer zones where the construction of infrastructure likely to affect the environment would be prohibited without the approval of the other country.

This bill relates to 82 boundary waters, rivers and lakes and involves 75 Canadian members of Parliament and 91 American senators and congressmen.

One concrete example is the landfill located in Coventry, Vermont. This landfill is just a few metres away from Lake Memphremagog, and Vermont recently approved an application to expand the dump significantly. It is important to note that 175,000 Canadians in Sherbrooke and Magog rely on this lake for drinking water.

The International Joint Commission, which already exists and reports to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will oversee the enforcement of the proposed standards. These standards will be established on the basis of consultations with experts in both countries and in collaboration with the relevant provinces and states. We have to make sure that no other initiative like the Coventry landfill expansion disturbs boundary water relations between Canada and the United States.

We have to make sure that we protect the quality of boundary waters between Canada and the United States for our future generations.

(Motion deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)