moved:
That, in the opinion of the House, the government should immediately develop, in consultation with the provinces, territories, Aboriginal groups, municipalities, local community organizations, and others, an integrated water resources management strategy to measure, monitor, protect, and enhance Canada's freshwater resources through scientific research by governments, universities, and private research networks, and through legal and regulatory instruments.
Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to rise today to speak to this motion on one of the most important environmental issues of our time.
Before I begin addressing the motion, I would like to propose a friendly amendment to add at the very end, “and should appoint the Minister of State for Water under the authority of the Minister of the Environment to oversee and administer the water resources management strategy”.