(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement:

“After reading the report of the Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities on changes made to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) by the Harper administration, I am deeply disappointed. It is abundantly clear that the combined effect of changes to the Fisheries Act, the NWPA and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) was for the purpose of speeding development. C-38 gutted the Fisheries Act and CEAA, while C-45 removed federal environmental protection for 95 per cent of Canada’s lakes and rivers.

“Now, this Liberal-dominated committee has utterly failed to recommend needed reforms, and their report actually defends former Prime Minister Harper's abdication of authority over navigable waterways. In doing so, the committee report is out of step with the bold vision of the environmental assessment expert panel.

“The committee held only six meetings. This report should raise alarm amongst environmental groups who trusted this administration to undo the damage done by two of Stephen Harper’s omnibus budget bills. I support the NDP’s dissenting report, and urge Transport Minister Marc Garneau to fix what Harper broke.”

Read Ms. May’s written brief to the standing committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities here.

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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Dan Palmer

Press Secretary | Attaché de presse

dan.palmer@greenparty.ca

m: (613) 614-4916