Freshwater Initiative

Annex: Federal Freshwater Legislation and Agreements

Canada Shipping Act

Authority relating to shipping and navigation in inland and territorial waters, and provides for prevention of pollution to Canadian waters by oil and other pollutants resulting from marine activities.

Canada-British Columbia Agreement on the Pacific Salmon Fishery

Establishes a Canada-British Columbia Council of Fisheries Ministers and defines their responsibilities regarding salmon allocation; establishes Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council and a Fishery Renewal Advisory Board; outlines improvements in fish habitat protection activities and commitments to negotiate a federal-provincial Habitat and Protection and Fisheries Enforcement Agreement.

Canada-British Columbia Agreement on Environmental Assessment Co-operation

Provides for federal-provincial coordination of respective environmental assessment process for promotion of effective, efficient, consistent and co-operative environmental assessment by Canada and British Columbia and for avoidance of uncertainty and duplication.

Canada-British Columbia Understanding Concerning Federal and Provincial Responsibilities in Oil and Hazardous Material Spills

Identifies lead agency roles and responsibilities and establishes a 24-hour spill reporting system.

(DFO not party to this 1981 agreement).

Canada-Ontario Fisheries Agreement

General fishery agreement on administrative responsibilities for the management of freshwater fisheries between Canada and the Province of Ontario.

Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

GLWQA is intended to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Lakes. Each country has developed policies and procedures to achieve those goals.

Canada-United States Joint Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (1998 Revised)

Provides for a coordinated system for responding to discharges or threat of discharges of harmful substances in the contiguous waters of interest between Canada and the United States.

Canada-Yukon Accord for Freshwater Fisheries Management

Transfers administrative responsibilities for the management of freshwater fisheries from Canada to the Yukon.

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

Sets out responsibilities and procedures for the environmental assessment of projects involving the federal government.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Provides for life cycle control of toxic substances, controls for nutrients, and promotion of pollution prevention.

Constitution Act

Defines federal and provincial jurisdiction in freshwater.

Department of Fisheries and Oceans Act

Establishes the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Assigns matters such as sea-coast and inland fisheries to the department.

Freshwater Fish Marketing Act

Establishes a crown corporation with exclusive right to market and trade in fish in inter-provincial and export trade.

Fisheries Act

Provides for the regulation of fishing and management of fish stocks, including provisions for controlling obstacles to fish passage, water for the safety of fish, protection of fish habitat from physical impacts, control of deposition of substances deleterious to fish populations, and regulations covering waste effluent standards for industrial groups.

Fishing and Recreational Harbours Act

Respecting the administration and development of certain fishing and recreational harbours in Canada.

Great Lakes Fishery Convention Act

Affirms the need for Canada and the United States to collaborate on protection and perpetuation of Great Lakes' fisheries resources, creates the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Settlement Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the Gwich'in Tribal Council, representing the Gwich'in, and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.

Legislative Base for Office of Boating Safety

Part III Section 41 of the Oceans Act, and Part IX Section 562 and Part XV Section 656 of the Canada Shipping Act.

Navigable Waters Protection Act

Protects the public right to navigation and provides authority to control construction and dumping of wastes where they might interfere with navigation in navigable water.

Nunavut Land Claims Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut, representing the Inuit of the Nunavut Settlement Area, and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.

Oceans Act

The Act sets out the responsibilities for the development of a strategy to create a co-ordinated ocean governance framework; to improve the understanding and protection of the integrity of the ocean ecosystems; to optimize the Canada's ocean's potential; and to engage the public in the sustainable use of coastal resources.

Office of International des Épizooties (OIE) Aquatic Animal Health Code

The OIE is mandated to foster sharing of national animal health information, particularly for international trade.

International Boundary Waters Treaty Act

Implements the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty, which establishes the IJC and addresses issues of level, flow and quality of water on and along boundary between Canada and the United States.

International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990

Provides a global framework for international cooperation in combating major incidents or threats of marine pollution. Canada is a signatory and has adopted the International Convention.

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)

MARPOL covers all aspects of pollution from ships. except the disposal of waste into the sea by dumping, and applies to ships of all types, although it does not apply to pollution arising out of the exploration and exploitation of sea-bed minerals.

Inuvialuit Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the Committee for Original Peoples' Entitlement, representing the Inuvialuit of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.

James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the Cree and Inuit of James Bay and Northern Quebec and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.

Sahtu, Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the Sahtu Dene and Metis and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.

USCG/CCG International Treaty for Joint Ice Breaking in the Great Lakes

Provides for co-ordination of icebreaking activities of the Government of Canada and the United States in the Great Lakes and is intended to increase efficiency in the utilization of icebreaking resources in those waters.

Yukon Native Land Claims Umbrella Final Agreement

Sets out the terms of the land claims Agreement between the First Nations of the Yukon and the Government of Canada, representing all citizens of Canada.