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Decentralized Democracy

House Bill

Bill C-271

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 05, 2022
St. Lawrence River Capacity and Protection Act
  • Bill C-271, the St. Lawrence River Capacity and Protection Act, gives the St. Lawrence River the legal capacity of a natural person and establishes the St. Lawrence River Protection Committee. The purposes of this Act are to protect the River's right to exist and flow, maintain its biodiversity, and ensure its protection. The Committee, consisting of eleven members with specialized knowledge in water management, acts as the River's representative and exercises its rights. The Committee's duties include raising public awareness, advising on projects that may affect the River, advocating for the River's best interests in legal proceedings, and proposing measures to protect and restore the River. The Committee can also bring actions for damages on behalf of the River. Each year, the Committee presents a report to the Minister detailing its activities.
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman Argument: This bill seeks to grant legal capacity to the St. Lawrence River, recognizing it as having legal personality and establishing a committee responsible for its protection. The argument in favor of this bill is that by granting legal capacity to the river, it ensures its right to exist and flow, maintain its biodiversity and integrity, and be protected from contamination. This recognition emphasizes the importance of natural entities like the St. Lawrence River and guarantees it a healthy environment for the benefit of current and future generations. Additionally, by establishing the St. Lawrence River Protection Committee, the bill ensures that there is a dedicated body responsible for acting on behalf of the river and advocating for its rights and best interests. This committee will be composed of members with specialized knowledge and experience in water management and ecosystems, ensuring that decisions made regar

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman argument opposing Bill C-271: While the intentions behind Bill C-271, An Act to give legal capacity to the St. Lawrence River and to provide for measures respecting its protection, are noble, it may not be the most practical or effective approach to protect the river. The idea of granting legal capacity to a natural entity like the St. Lawrence River raises several concerns. Firstly, granting legal capacity to a natural entity may create uncertainty and have unintended consequences in terms of accountability and liability. How would the River exercise its legal capacity? Who would represent the River in legal proceedings? These questions remain unanswered in the bill. Secondly, the establishment of the St. Lawrence River Protection Committee, while well-intentioned, could potentially lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies and delays in decision-making regarding the river's protection. The involvement of multiple stakeholders, i
House First Reading
  • May 5, 2022, 10 a.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read