Today, I would like to climb on to my soap box and direct everyone's attention to proposed changes to the Navigable Waters Act.

The Navigable Waters Act is the act in Canada that protects public access to rivers. It requires that whenever someone would like to build a structure on, in or over a waterway, they must consult local users of that waterway and conduct an analysis of the environmental impact. Currently a navigable water is defined as any waterway that you can float a canoe in.

The government would like to change the act so the Transport Minister can define 'classes' of projects that would not need environmental assessment or public input. The implication is that the Transport Minister can authorize any project on any river with total disregard to the human and environmental impacts.

Naturally recreational paddlers are all a titter, but not without good reason.  This law could greatly add to the number of dams, culverts, and aquaculture farms in Canadian waterways, making paddling far more difficult.  Many smaller canoe and kayak routes also could lose protection and be encroached upon by mining or forestry.

If you enjoy recreation on Canadian waterways and would like to see them be protected there is a petition online at ispeakforcanadianrivers.ca and you can also write your MP, PM and the Transport Minister to express your opinion.