C-271St. Lawrence River Capacity and Protection Act
An Act to give legal capacity to the St. Lawrence River and to provide for measures respecting its protection
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on May 5, 2022
- Status
- At second reading in the House of Commons since May 5, 2022
What it does
Gives the St. Lawrence River legal personhood and creates a committee to act for it.
What it does
- Gives the St. Lawrence River the rights, powers and privileges of a natural person, including the ability to bring court cases.
- Creates the St. Lawrence River Protection Committee to represent the river and exercise its rights in its best interests.
- Sets the committee at 11 members, with members recommended by Ontario, Quebec, Indigenous governing bodies and non-governmental organisations, and requires water and ecosystem expertise.
- Directs the committee to advise on projects, speak to public authorities, act in court, make protection recommendations, and help carry out plans for the river’s habitat and ecosystems.
- Allows the committee to seek damages for harmful acts or omissions, and requires any money awarded to be used for protection and restoration of the river.
- Requires the committee to report yearly to the Minister of the Environment, who must table the report in Parliament.
Who it affects
- St. Lawrence River
- Ontario government
- Quebec government
- Indigenous governing bodies
- Non-governmental organisations
- Water and ecosystem experts
- Courts
- Federal environment minister
Background
The bill says it does not take away the rights of Indigenous peoples protected by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. It also says responsible recreational and subsistence uses, such as fishing, are not meant to be prohibited.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Current stage. Now here
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: Outside the Order of Precedence. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.