Protecting or increasing the number of wetlands could have an impact on climate change, but that is not the solution we should adopt. We are headed in the wrong direction if we think that natural environments, both forests and wetlands, will reduce climate change. To really address climate change, we must also attack road transport across Canada and the United States. I would even say this is a global issue. In a way, wetlands are there to help us.
My biggest fear is about water levels in the Rivière des Mille Îles, which have been low since 2001. The river was low at various times in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2010, and municipalities have been forced to boil their water for six to eight weeks since the last low-water period. The river continues to dry out. Without going through the BAPE, the Government of Quebec issued an order to cut down a rocky headland between Lac des Deux Montagnes and the Rivière des Mille Îles to supply nearly 400,000 inhabitants with water.
I cited some figures on this subject. There are plans to build 75,000 to 100,000 more housing units in northern Laval and in the major Laurentides and Lanaudière regions on the north shore of Laval. The water collection done there will also drain the waterways.
Climate change, the channelling of streams and the filling in of flood plains are having an impact on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River, but in addition to that there is all the residential water use. Every citizen, business and institution uses an enormous amount of water without paying any attention.
We have always been told that Canada is a country of water and forests. Today, unfortunately, we see that the forests are being depleted and that there are problems with both our forests and our waterways. And yet Canada is considered one of the largest drinking water reserves in the world. All Canadians should be concerned about this asset and should want to protect and develop it because countries south of us, such as the United States, will one day need it.