Federal laws protecting Canadian waters under threat

It has been about a year since the federal government introduced Bills C-38 and C-45 which have weakened Canada’s environmental laws.

Among other things, Bill C-38 contained significant changes to the Fisheries Act.  Implementation of these changes means that the level of protection for Canadian fisheries will be drastically reduced.  The longstanding prohibition against the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of any fish habitat will be removed.

In its place will be a weaker prohibition against activities that result in serious harm to fish that are part of a commercial, recreational or Aboriginal fishery, or to fish that support such a fishery.  The definition of “serious harm to fish” is “the death of fish or any permanent alteration to, or destruction of, fish habitat”.

Read “Federal laws protecting Canadian waters under threat” on the ELC blog.

ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTRE:

The Environmental Law Centre (ELC) has been seeking strong and effective environmental laws since it was founded in 1982. The ELC is dedicated to providing credible, comprehensive and objective legal information regarding natural resources, energy and environmental law, policy and regulation in Alberta. The ELC’s mission is to educate and champion for strong laws and rights so all Albertans can enjoy clean water, clean air and a healthy environment. Our vision is a society where laws secure an environment that sustains current and future generations.

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