C-217National Freshwater Strategy Act

What it does

• Requires the Minister of the Environment to develop a national strategy for the conservation, protection and use of fresh water with provinces, municipalities, Indigenous groups, scientists, researchers and civil society groups.
• Sets topics for the strategy, including drinking water standards, freshwater issues in international agreements, water and wastewater infrastructure, eutrophication in lakes, freshwater biodiversity and groundwater knowledge gaps.
• Requires the minister to hold at least one conference with the people and groups involved in developing the strategy.
• Requires the minister to table a report setting out the strategy in both Houses of Parliament within two years after royal assent, then post it on the Environment Department website within 10 days.
• Requires a parliamentary committee to review the strategy within five years after the report is tabled and to report back with any recommended changes.