An Act respecting the development of a national strategy in relation to fresh water

Bill C-217 in the 44th Parliament was the National Freshwater Strategy Act, a Private Member's Bill from NDP MP Lindsay Mathyssen (London-Fanshawe) directing the federal government to develop a national strategy to protect and manage Canada's fresh water. Canada holds roughly 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water, but jurisdiction is split: the provinces largely control water use while Ottawa holds fisheries, navigation, and transboundary-waters powers under the Canada Water Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-11). The bill called for federal coordination on river-basin protection, water-quality monitoring, and freshwater data, anticipating the work of the new Canada Water Agency (established 2024, headquartered in Winnipeg). It was introduced at first reading on December 16, 2021 and remained outside the Order of Precedence, so it did not advance.