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February 27 Open Letter to the SenateMembers of the Senate: The proposed changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, brought forward in Bill C – 10; Section 7; this year are cause for great concern to the ordinary user of Canadian water ways. This Act, enshrined in law, gives all Canadians access to waterways and protects access to those waterways for future generations - the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.
In the recent past, Canadians have learned to use this Act for protection of their water ways. The Act required that “works” be made known, giving a chance for concerned citizens to voice their concerns over those proposed projects. If Canadians, even 40 years ago, showed the same concern for their environment we would not be using huge amounts of tax dollars to rehabilitate the many damaged watersheds.
“Too silent to be real”
These words from Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” instantly place an image in your mind of the vast tracts of Canadian wilderness. The trouble is the silence for real protection for Canadian watersheds from our Canadian politicians is real! Canadian rivers/watersheds are under unprecedented assault. . Ordinary Canadians are trying to voice their concerns, trying to ensure the rights given to all Canadians over 100 years ago are preserved. When new immigrants are trying to become citizens this is part of their required preparation to become a Canadian. The Guide is called A Look At Canada. The chapter is Protecting The Environment-Sustainable Development. http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/resources/publications/look/index.asp This will take you to the Chapter. http://www.cic.gc.ca/EnGLIsh/resources/publications/look/look-05.asp And my favorite quote from this is “Good environmental citizenship means making sure that groups and individuals have the information they need and understand how to use it to take responsible environmental action. We are accountable for our environment. We must protect it. This way, we take responsibility for the quality of our lives and the lives of future generations.”
Bill C – 10; Section 7; has the ability to make this impossible for any Canadian Citizens to protect Canadian Water sheds. We can understand the need for changes, We can also understand the need for a fast track mechanism to build infrastructure projects. But we also understand that these works need to be done in an environmentally way as to safeguard the health of the watersheds. There should be approved construction/water treatment processes that evolve with technological advancements. We also believe that the Canadian public should not have to subsidize industry so that they may profit.
When looking for someone to quote, the person’s words who I felt were most appropriate were by Rev. Martin Niemoller. (His words at the end) I believe that Martin Niemoeller’s words were meant for more than man’s inhumanity to man. As humans continue to assault the planet I believe we should heed his words.
I am Jeff McColl, 264 Sydney St. Milton, Ontario, L9T 1E1 905-878-2565 I am just a mailman. I speak for Canadian Rivers! Who has the courage to stand up and speak up for real protection for the environment and Canadian watersheds?
“First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Jews,and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Jew.Then they came for the Catholics,and I didn’t speak up,because I was a Protestant.Then they came for me,and by that time there was no oneleft to speak up for me.” - Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945February 07 NWPA it's back! letter of support!I talked to Dr. Bob Bailey (http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/pr/staff/bailey.php) today and he has given me a letter we can forward to show concern is not just from the paddle people playing chicken little. Find out if your club or Provincial body is involved and ask what to do!
Specific mention in the Budget Tabled Jan 2009, pages 143 & 144 http://www.budget.gc.ca/2009/pdf/budget-planbugetaire-eng.pdf And the argument that the NWPA delays infrastructure money… Too bad they didn’t mention the rules of the Canada Building Fund that the Mayors of Canada and Premiers of Canada said where the real red tape in stopping funds flowing to the cities.
On Friday we received this Quote ” URGENT ALERT Friday February 6, 2009
GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED NWPA AND OTHER CHANGES TODAY UNDER ITS BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION ACT
Under the guise of the 2009 Budget Implementation Act, the federal government has introduced amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) that will have serious negative impacts on both the ancient public right of navigation in Canada and on the environment.
The NWPA mandates that, if someone wants to build something in, on, around, under, or over a navigable waterway, an assessment of the impacts on navigation and an environmental assessment need to be done first.
The NWPA was originally enacted in 1882. It is one of Canada’s oldest pieces of legislation, and there is no doubt that it needs to be modernized—however, in the name of “cutting red tape” to speed up the building of infrastructure projects and stimulate the economy, the government is introducing changes that will remove navigable status from thousands of waterways in Canada.
These changes were recommended by a committee that did not consult Canada’s paddling community, the outdoor tourism industry, environmental groups, First Nations communities, anglers and hunters, or anyone who accesses Canadian waterways for business or recreation.
The heritage right of navigation predates confederation, and Canadians consistently rank the environment as one of their top issues of concern.
These changes to the NWPA are simply unacceptable.
There is something you can do—raise your voice! Spread the word, and tell the government you care about Canada’s waterways. For more information and how to take action, please see www.ispeakforrivers.ca .” unquote. September 14 Navigable Waters Protection Act - What you can do!I am not a fan of chain e-mails and have never forwarded one, (except for child find) let alone start one. However, if you are concerned for Canadian rivers or the debate(s) on other environmental concerns, then pass this on! I am not supported by any political party or major environmental group and have no multi-million dollar advertising budget. Only my passion for paddling and being outdoors propels me. So, equipped with the internet and written word as my tools, I hope to spread the word to help preserve our rights under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
This Act, enshrined in law, gives all Canadians access to waterways and protects access to those waterways for future generations - the ability to canoe, kayak, power boat, to fish and to hunt, much the same as Canadians 100 years ago, except instead of doing it to survive we do it for recreation.
In the recent past, Canadians have learned to use this Act for protection of their water ways. The Act required that “works” be made known, giving a chance for concerned citizens to voice their concerns over those proposed projects. If Canadians, even 40 years ago, showed the same concern for their environment we would not be using huge amounts of tax dollars to rehabilitate the many cement ditches and destroyed urban watersheds.
The proposed changes brought forward in June of this year are cause for great concern to the ordinary user of Canadian water ways.
“Too silent to be real”
These words from Gordon Lightfoot’s “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” instantly place an image in your mind of the vast tracts of Canadian wilderness. The trouble is - as we go into this election, the silence is real. Canadian rivers/watersheds are under unprecedented assault. The politicians are silent. The majority of big environmental groups are silent. The big professional groups/outfitters in all outdoor user groups are silent. This leaves just a few ordinary Canadians voicing their concerns, trying to ensure the rights given to you over 100 years ago are preserved.
We can understand the need for changes, We can also understand the need for a fast track mechanism to build infrastructure projects. But we also understand that these works need to be done in an environmentally way as to safeguard the health of the watersheds. There should be approved construction/water treatment processes that evolve with technological advancements. We also believe that the Canadian public should not have to subsidize industry so that they may profit.
When looking for someone to quote, the person’s words who I felt were most appropriate were by Rev. Martin Niemoller. (His words at the end) I believe that Martin Niemoeller’s words were meant for more than man’s inhumanity to man. As humans continue to assault the planet I believe we should heed his words. And, as Rev. Niemoeller did, I release this letter to the public domain.
I am Jeff McColl, Milton, Ontario I am just a mailman. I speak for Canadian Rivers! http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com/ We can make a difference! Forward/copy this to everyone, including the politicians. Let them know you are speaking up!
“First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Communist.Then they came for the Jews,and I didn’t speak up,because I wasn’t a Jew.Then they came for the Catholics,and I didn’t speak up,because I was a Protestant.Then they came for me,and by that time there was no oneleft to speak up for me.” - Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945September 02 Is this politicial or is about what we love to do?Is this political or is it about what we love to do? (Answer at the end) Well, we are hours away from an election call, and we can see the lines being drawn in the sand. We have leadership (?) and get tough on criminals on one side, Leadership (?) and carbon tax will help save the earth on the other. And no one, including the general public paying a @#$# to the other issues! Let alone the right of Canadians to be informed or involved in processes that affect their lives. This is not to argue any of the leaders’ abilities or policies.
This is about what we can do as outdoors people to ensure our access rights to Canadian waterways. This is about the right to know about “works” on waterways so that we can act as guardians to help make sure environmental laws and procedures are followed. And this is about if there are inadequacies in proposed legislation that our various outdoor organizations can represent their members to ensure that what ever is decided is balanced, not only for present users, but also for future generations of Canadians.
Our goal here is to make sure we (hunt/fish/enviro/paddlers….) are invited to the table for the next round. Not getting invited can not be an option! We have a great weapon and we need to use it now! The internet. We have forums, blogs web sites….., email the big professional people on this, get them to take a stand, they have been way too quiet. (all of them)
We/you can make a difference, but every one of us needs to be involved, and yes, it is that simple, we stand together. We have over 30 days to type, copy, and paste, to make others aware of one of the true treasures of Canada (Access rights to Canadian water ways) Do not reply to this posting. If you want everyone to know Just write “bump” If you want to debate; pm me. If you do question your candidates, record the question and their answers, time/date/place/witnesses, we your group rep will need this info when we get to the next round. And post it! If we can get them to start contradicting themselves, we can make it news! I did not setup or invent this site; I am involved in the forums. But I do…. http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com/ Do you? Get your user group to represent your views! Jeff McColl Answer: You already have the answer. August 24 The Future...where we may be heading if they gut the NWPAIf anyone had any doubt on where the changes to the Navigable Water Ways Protection Act is heading then you don’t have to look any further than the Balm Beach Ontario on Georgian Bay. http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/484318 (I will quote it in full at the bottom in case it disappears from their web pages.)
It’s not pretty is it, and to save our historical rights to the access on Canadian waterways we have to stand up now!
Now take in the fact that fisher people/hunters/canoeists don’t own the land of the areas where they access to fish/hunt/boat then throw in a couple of disgruntled landowners that don’t like the “outsiders” …… not a nice vision is it! And throw in a few court cases for fun….
This is very close to becoming a reality; the changes will be introduced in the fall session or if an election is called we have to make sure the future of access to canoeing is protected.
As a past Canadian Canoe Champion and Whitewater champion with having the gift of being involved with the outdoors for over 40 years now, I strongly recommend that you forward this information to your member clubs/suppliers and help protect Canada’s Heritage of water way access. Making your own presentation would be best for the cause, especially the safe keeping of urban watersheds, or they can go to the http://www.ispeakforcanadianrivers.com/
Yours in Canoeing, Jeff McColl Milton Ont. For info on how this has progressed, read this forum. http://www.myccr.com/SectionForums/viewtopic.php?t=29875&start=0
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