The protection of source water exceeds riding boundries

The recent federal omnibus bill saw the reversal of the long standing Navigable Waters Protection Act that protects Canada’s lakes and rivers, a move which concerns Nickel Belt MP Claude Gravelle so much that tabled a private members bill to restore environmental protection on bodies of water and today he continued his quest on the shores of Trout Lake.

Gravelle, along with Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, Joined local NDP riding members, Chief Marianna Couchie and concerned residents to form a flotilla on the city’s drinking water source to drive the message home that it is important to protect Canada’s lakes and rivers.

Gravelle says as the source of drinking water for North Bay, it’s incredibly important that Trout Lake be protected and he is surprised MP Jay Aspin isn’t doing more to protect it.

He says after the Conservatives replaced it with a new law, fewer than 2% of Canada’s waterways are now protected and recreational fishermen, eco-tourists and cottagers are among the Canadians who will feel the impact of this reckless change.

Chow echoes Gravelle stating the first duty of the government is to protect the air, food and water.