moved for leave to introduce Bill C-495, An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Cowichan River).
Mr. Speaker, I am rising to submit this bill asking that the Cowichan River be reinserted into the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
Over the last several years, we have had a crisis on the Cowichan River as the waters dropped dangerously low and the very health of the salmon stocks was in question. In fact, sometimes volunteers were actually moving salmon up the river in buckets to help them to the spawning grounds.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District says it far better than I. It states:
At all stages of this journey, we benefit from the services that a watershed provides. We protect watersheds so we can continue to access clean water for drinking and recreational use, as well as maintain the natural balance of water to avoid floods and droughts.
I am looking forward to a fulsome debate on this bill in this House.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)