Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First, I want to turn to the Grand Council Chief of the Anishinabek Nation.
Ms. Debassige, I would like to hear your thoughts on the concept of protection zones, particularly when it comes to federal legislation.
I gather that the federal government wants to remain vague about the definition of a protection zone. Right now, this obviously falls under provincial jurisdiction.
Protection zones are established by the provinces under the water resources protection legislation. Ontario uses the term “protection zone”, while Quebec refers to a “protection area”. We can see that the regulations are similar.
A protection zone may include wellheads, surface water intakes, highly vulnerable aquifers and major groundwater recharge areas. It's a complete documentation of the territory and the main features of water sources.
According to a map of Ontario's protection zones, the Anishinabek Nation around the Great Lakes is significantly affected. Are you participating with Ontario in the process of establishing the protection zone that affects your nation?