The Canadian Navigable Waters Act

The Canadian Navigable Waters Act restores lost protections for the public right to navigate on all navigable waters.

Paddlers on water

Recreational boaters and Indigenous peoples will continue to navigate Canada’s waterways safely.

Boaters, paddle boaters on water

For Canadians, this means:

• extra protections; and
• knowing and having a say about projects in your community.

Boaters, paddle boaters on water

A lift bridge

For Indigenous Peoples, this means:

• opportunities to partner in monitoring, enforcement and decision-making; and
• consideration of Indigenous rights and knowledge.

Indigenous peoples in kayak

For project developers, this means:

• a transparent and public process; and
• an efficient regulatory system that supports economic growth.

Construction workers building a project on water