December 13, 2011

Ottawa, ON – Larry Miller, MP, tabled a new Private Member’s Bill, seconded by MP Joe Preston, An Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the International River Improvements Act today in the House of Commons. This act will protect Canada’s water resources by strengthening prohibitions on bulk water removal and diversions.

This new act will strengthen current protective measures for Canadian waters within federal jurisdiction through a comprehensive prohibition against bulk water removal. In addition, this bill will prohibit any river improvements designed to link non-boundary or transboundary bodies of water to international rivers and use them as a conduit to increase the annual flow of water outside Canada.

“This issue has been very important to me since I entered federal politics in 2004,” says Miller.

"Representing a riding touching the Great Lakes reminds me of the importance of protecting this valuable resource,” stated MP Preston.

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This Act gives the federal government new inspection and enforcement powers and introduces tough new penalties for violations, including fines of up to $6 million for corporate violations. The bill offers unprecedented federal protection against bulk water exports, while respecting provincial constitutional jurisdiction.

“The goal of this bill is to protect Canada’s drinking water and our rich natural resource for years to come,” says Miller.