MP Francis Scarpaleggia (Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Louis and Chair of the National Liberal Caucus) has tabled a private members bill to address water efficiency, water conservation and recycling.

The Bill would amend the Canada Water Act to authorize the federal government to play a lead role in promoting the optimum use of water resources in Canada.

The bill, entitled An Act to amend the Canada Water Act (recycling, conservation and efficiency), would allow the federal government to make "regulations respecting water devices and standards for water recycling, water conservation and water efficiency" and develop and undertake "programs relating to the development and promotion of water devices and water-recycling, water conservation and water efficiency practices". 

The bill would allow the government to establish or recognize "standards for water recycling, water conservation and water efficiency" and to enforce minimum water-efficiency standards in water-related devices (i.e. water-applying devices, water-consuming devices, water-recycling devices, water-conserving, and water efficient devices) sold in Canada through the federal power to regulate international and inter-provincial trade. 

The bill would also allow Ottawa to "enter into agreements with the government of the United States, provincial governments, industrial and trade organizations and communities with an interest in the recycling, conservation and efficient use of water, to provide programs to develop water devices" and "promote the adoption of water devices and water-recycling, water conservation and water efficiency practices."  The Act would allow the implementation of the US WaterSense program among other programs and initiatives. 

As Mr. Scarpaleggia states, "If it passes it would open the door for federal leadership and oversite into national efficiency initiatives."

CWWA would certainly be in favour of this bill as it supports our goals in Canada for promoting more efficient use of water.  We recognize that private members bills face barriers to approval, especially in an election year, but we are pleased to see water issues being discussed at the parliamentary level.

We encourage CWWA members to express their support of Bill C-653 to their local Member of Parliament and to the Minister of Environment and the Minister of Natural Resources.

The Ministers addresses and sample letters can be downloaded from our website.

CWWA appreciates the efforts of Francis Scarpaleggia. Since first being elected, Mr. Scarpaleggia has made the protection of Canada’s water resources a personal political priority, introducing various water-related bills and motions to Parliament as well as spearheading a study by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development into the impact of the oil sands industry on the Athabasca River watershed. Mr. Scarpaleggia has been a regular delegate to CWWA’s Window on Ottawa and national water conferences.