I believe on that list of what worked well would be streamlining the process and focusing resources on busy waterways that have significance. There were more authorities for the minister to respond to emergencies. There was more authority for enforcement and compliance. There were important tools that were put into the act, including the administrative monetary penalties.
Challenges for the department have revolved, for example, around definitions and clarity of definitions. For example, what is substantial in relation to interference with navigation and what is non-substantial? That affects how a project is treated under the act. Clarity for owners of projects as well as users of the waterways is an area that has perhaps posed some challenges.
There has been an issue with being able to inform the public regarding decisions that have been made. There is not a great deal of guidance and authority in the act regarding communication of decisions around navigation.
These are issues that have perhaps posed some challenges. There are questions regarding obstructions in non-scheduled waters. Most of all, there has been the question of whether we have the right waterways and whether we have the right types of protections, and whether we are protecting the right thing in the right way under the act.