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S. M. Humphries of Regina writes:

The federal government is reviewing the Navigation Protection Act — that’s the law that should give all Canadians the right to paddle up and down this land’s waterways.

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That right is very important to me and my family. Annually, two siblings’ families come together to canoe and camp. This year we were astounded by the landscape and remains of a historical train bridge on the South Saskatchewan River from Highway 41 to the Lemsford Ferry. Previously we have paddled the North Saskatchewan, the Churchill, the Milk River, the Red Deer River and some lakes.

In recent years, 99 per cent of Canada’s waterways lost navigation protection under the act. Unless our waterways have full legal protection, we’ll all lose our right to enjoy and play in streams, rivers, lakes and oceans.

When waterways are blocked by development or land owners, sensitive ecosystems are put at risk. There’s currently no law that makes it mandatory to evaluate environmental impacts from blocking and obstructing waterways. Blocking waterways can seriously harm fish, fish habitat and water, and also impacts our right to explore and enjoy this country by canoe and kayak.

I hope you’ll join me in writing or calling your MP to tell them to make sure the Navigation Protection Act protects our environment, heritage and way of life.

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