PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, October 19, 2016 – The Fondation Rivières welcomes the initiative of the Ministry of Sustainable Development, the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC) to consult the population as part of its revision of the National water policy, adopted in 2002 following public hearings, but recalls the urgent need to apply existing regulations, sanction offenders and implement the sanitation certificate system which is experiencing significant delays.
The documentation made public by the MDDELCC clearly presents the issues related to water in Quebec and the objectives it wishes to achieve. Indeed, the sheets available on the needs for acquisition and dissemination of knowledge; continued efforts to improve water quality; protection of aquatic environments; risk management; adaptation to climate change and responding to the needs for quality drinking water relevantly identify the main issues and offer avenues for reflection. However, the Foundation has reservations regarding the aspects of governance and sustainable development presented by the MDDELCC.
Indeed, several issues have already been well documented over the years and now require concrete actions. Thus, establishing new governance structures in integrated water resource management, although potentially beneficial in the medium or long term, diverts resources to the detriment of the implementation of existing regulations, particularly with regard to overflows. The laws and regulations exist, but the Ministry's inspectors and analysts do not have the mandates or the resources to carry out the necessary controls.
Consequently, the Fondation Rivières believes that it would be more beneficial for the population of Quebec if ministerial resources were intended not only for the application of laws and regulations, but also for existing bodies and organizations that ensure water resources planning. Watershed organizations and the production of their water master plans and the publication of data on water and rivers by the Ministry are clear examples of this. We would also like to point out that considerable sums currently available in the Green Fund are not made accessible for interventions related to the water sector, a major gap.
For Alexandre Joly, spokesperson for the Foundation, “The money must go where it is most needed and existing laws must be applied. New governance structures will not improve water quality, but enforcement of regulations and funding for Ministry inspectors will.” He adds that investments in wastewater infrastructure would help improve river water quality across the province. “Small municipalities do not have the resources to enforce regulations. The MDDELCC must help them.”
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For informations :
Alain Saladzius
President
514 924-2013
presidency@fondationrivieres.org
Photo: Tim Marshall/Unsplash
