The Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA) protects the public right to travel or transport on Canada’s navigable waters. The Act applies to anyone planning to construct, place, alter, rebuild, remove or decommission a work in, on, over, under, through or across a navigable water in Canada.
The Navigable Waters Works Regulations and the Navigable Waters Bridges Regulations were last amended in the 1980s and 1990s. The regulations set out requirements applicable to various types of works built or placed in Canada’s navigable waters.
Transport Canada is proposing a regulatory review to modernize the Navigable Waters Works Regulations and the Navigable Waters Bridges Regulations, by merging them into a single regulation and clarifying when CNWA requirements apply.
How to participate
- Read our discussion paper
- “Sign In” at the top of the Let’s Talk Transportation Consultation page and share your comments on our discussion questions..
- Provide input at any time by sending an email to the Navigation Protection Program Review Team at tc.npphq-ppnac.tc@tc.gc.ca
Who is the focus of this consultation
We want to hear from Indigenous communities, stakeholders and the Canadian public.
Key questions for discussion
- What are your views on the proposed regulatory review to modernize the Navigable Waters Works Regulations and Navigable Waters Bridges Regulations?
- What are your views on the following considerations:
- Definitions for activities subject to CNWA?
- Criteria for “no interference”?
- Exclusion of smaller waterbodies from the definition of “navigable water”?
- Are there any other CNWA requirements or definitions you feel would require clarity through regulations?
- What are your views on focusing navigation protection on the following works:
- Low-head dams?
- Contiguous areas?
- Bridge repair and maintenance?
- Timeframes for opening a movable span bridge?
- Have you ever encountered navigation challenges related to the repair or maintenance of bridges? If so, why?
- What are the measures you feel would improve navigation safety regarding:
- Low-head dams?
- Contiguous areas?
- Bridge repair and maintenance?
- Timeframes for opening a moveable span bridge?
Related information
- Canadian Navigable Waters Act (justice.gc.ca)
- Let’s Talk Transportation Consultation Page
- Modernizing the Navigable Waters Works Regulations and the Navigable Waters Bridges Regulations
Contact us
Transport Canada
Communication (AEA)
Tower C, Place de Ville
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5
Email: tc.npphq-ppnac.tc@tc.gc.ca