Bill C-269 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (prohibition — deposit of raw sewage)

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Andrew Scheer  Conservative

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

Status

Defeated, as of June 23, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Fisheries Act in order to exclude raw sewage from the definition of deleterious substance so as to entirely prohibit its deposit in water.

Elsewhere

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

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-269s:

C-269 (2022) An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (suicide prevention)
C-269 (2016) An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (sentencing) and to make consequential amendments to another Act
C-269 (2013) An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (community service group membership dues)
C-269 (2011) An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (community service group membership dues)

Votes

June 23, 2021 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-269, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (prohibition — deposit of raw sewage)

Debate Summary

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This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-269 amends the Fisheries Act to prohibit the deposit of raw sewage into fish-frequented waters, defining raw sewage and removing ministerial exemption powers, with a five-year implementation delay.

Conservative

  • Prohibits raw sewage dumping: The bill amends the Fisheries Act to define raw sewage as a deleterious substance and removes the government's ability to grant permits for its deposit, effectively banning the practice.
  • Criticize liberal environmental record: Conservatives argue the Liberal government is all talk and no action on the environment, citing the authorization of the Montreal sewage dump as a prime example of hypocrisy and failure.
  • Supports municipal upgrades: The bill includes a five-year implementation delay to allow municipalities time to upgrade infrastructure, with Conservatives proposing federal infrastructure funding to support these necessary improvements.

NDP

  • Supports stopping sewage dumping: The NDP strongly supports the intent of the bill to stop the flow of raw sewage into Canada's oceans and waterways.
  • Bill penalizes communities: The party views the bill as deeply flawed because it penalizes communities, especially those with limited resources, that cannot afford the significant upgrades needed for their waste-water systems.
  • Lacks necessary financial support: The bill fails to provide financial support or a plan to help communities meet the estimated $18 billion cost for waste-water system improvements.
  • Concerns for boaters and First Nations: Concerns are raised about the bill's negative impact on commercial and recreational boaters and the lack of adequate infrastructure funding for First Nations reserves.

Bloc

  • Cannot support the bill: The Bloc Québécois opposes Bill C-269 because it does not offer real solutions to sewage dumping and is inconsistent in its prohibitions.
  • Inconsistent prohibition of substances: The bill is inconsistent, allowing regulated dumping of hazardous materials while prohibiting urban waste water, and excluding certain geographic areas without clear rationale.
  • Need for infrastructure investment: The real solution to waste water pollution requires major federal investments in municipal infrastructure, not just regulations or unenforceable prohibitions.

Liberal

  • Government opposes the bill: The government opposes Bill C-269, stating it would reduce environmental protections, negatively impact collaboration, be redundant, and impose significant challenges.
  • Bill weakens environmental protections: The bill would not add new protections but would weaken existing ones by removing raw sewage from the definition of deleterious substances and creating a gap in northern waters.
  • Unrealistic and costly requirements: Eliminating raw sewage within five years, as the bill requires, is practically impossible and would cost over $200 billion, far exceeding the environmental benefit.
  • Government has effective strategy: The government has a robust national strategy, making historic investments in infrastructure and using existing regulations to address waste water effectively.
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Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business

June 16th, 2021 / 6:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

It being 6:30 p.m., the time provided for debate has expired. Accordingly, the question is on the motion.

If a member of a recognized party present in the House wishes to request either a recorded division, or that the motion be adopted on division, I invite them to rise and indicate so to the Chair.

The hon. member for Elgin—Middlesex—London.

Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business

June 16th, 2021 / 6:30 p.m.

Conservative

Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON

Mr. Speaker, I would request a recorded vote.

Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business

June 16th, 2021 / 6:30 p.m.

The Deputy Speaker Bruce Stanton

Accordingly, pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the recorded division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 23, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

The hon. member for Louis‑Saint‑Laurent is rising on a question of privilege.

The House resumed from June 16 consideration of the motion that Bill C-269, An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (prohibition—deposit of raw sewage), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business

June 23rd, 2021 / 3:45 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:45 p.m., pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-269 under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was negatived on the following division:)

Vote #182

Fisheries ActPrivate Members' Business

June 23rd, 2021 / 4:10 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion lost.