NDP MP tables bill to protect North Bay’ s source of drinking water

Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle
News Release

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OTTAWA – Despite Conservatives gutting protection to Canada’s lakes and rivers, New Democrats are continuing with a campaign to restore environmental protection on bodies of water by tabling a bill today to restore protection to Trout Lake, the source of drinking water for North Bay.



“The Conservatives have shown us that they just don’t care about protecting Canada’s lakes and rivers, like Trout Lake, so New Democrats are ready to take leadership by protecting this lake for everyone – boaters, campers, anglers, communities and municipalities,” said MP Claude Gravelle (Nickel Belt). “As the source of drinking water for North Bay, it’s incredibly important that this lake is protected.”



The Navigable Waters Protection Act was previously considered a model for environmental protection. Since 1882, any project that could potentially impact the right of Canadians to navigate Canada’s lakes and rivers was subject to this Act. After the Conservatives replaced it with a new law, fewer than 2% of Canada’s waterways are now protected. Recreational fishermen, eco-tourists and cottagers are among the Canadians who will feel the impact of this reckless change.



“The Conservatives obliterated environmental regulations that have been safeguarding our lakes and rivers for more than 100 years,” said Gravelle. “Conservatives have shifted the onus to municipalities, First Nations communities and environmental groups to ensure that developers respect the environment. We need leadership from Ottawa, not bailing on protecting Trout Lake.”

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