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Protection of fresh water in Canada the topic of Private Member’s Bill C-245

Ottawa – On July 21, Lindsay Mathyssen, Member of Parliament for London/Fanshawe in Ontario, introduced a Private Member’s Bill to protect fresh water.

The National Freshwater Strategy Act aims at modernizing Canada’s policies on fresh water.

While introducing the legislation, she said: “The Thames River runs through my riding of London Fanshawe, but we are also so fortunate to have several wetlands and environmentally significant areas such as Meadowlilly Woods, Pottersburg Valley, Westminster Ponds and the area I live, Pond Mills. These areas are home to an incredible number of birds, wildlife, aquatic wildlife and vegetation. And of course, we are influenced by the beauty of the Great Lakes, which not only supplies us with fresh water for drinking but provides all of our communities with environmental benefits that deserve targeted protection and sustainable planning.”

Mathyssen also has re-introduced a second bill, titled An Act to amend the Navigation Protection Act (North Thames River, Middle Thames River and Thames River) that was first introduced in 2013 by her mother Irene Mathyssen, the preceding Member of Parliament for London/Fanshawe.

Mathyssen tabled the bills after consultation with constituents about the need to protect Canada’s fresh water, including the Thames River.

The MP may be contacted through OpenParliament.ca.