Recommendation 1

That the government maintain the Schedule but rapidly improve the process of adding waterways to the Schedule by making it easily accessible, easy to use and transparent and that a public awareness campaign be put in place to inform stakeholders of the process.

Recommendation 2

That the government include Transport Canada in the decision-making process for environmental assessments of pipelines and electrical transmission lines that cross navigable waters.

Recommendation 3

That the government examine ways of preserving, protecting and respecting navigation on waterways on traditional aboriginal lands  and recognize the special relationship that Indigenous communities have with waterways and impose a requirement that project proponents adequately inform stakeholders of a work before it commences so as to provide opportunities for appropriate consultations to be undertaken.

Recommendation 4

That the government, in consultation with Indigenous communities, provinces, territories and other relevant stakeholders such as landowners, user groups and municipalities, more clearly articulate the criteria for the aqueous highway test.

Recommendation 5

That the government update the Schedule in consultation with Indigenous communities, provinces, territories and other relevant stakeholders to determine which waterways should be included in the Schedule and that the addition of waterways be accompanied by increased resources to deal with applications.

Recommendation 6

That the government provide Indigenous communities, provinces, territories and other relevant stakeholders with clarification about who can ask for a waterway to be added to the List of Scheduled Navigable Waters and on what grounds.

Recommendation 7

That the government require that Transport Canada provide reasons why a waterway is or is not added to the schedule.

Recommendation 8

That the government impose a requirement that project proponents adequately inform stakeholders of a work before it commences so  as to provide opportunities for appropriate consultations to be undertaken.

Recommendation 9

That the government create an efficient administrative complaint mechanism, within Transport Canada, to assist the public with  the resolution of possible impediments to navigation on all of the country’s inland waterways, including those not listed in the Schedule, so that clear provisions are in place for communities and other relevant stakeholder to be able to oppose projects they consider threatening the waterways.

Recommendation 10

That the government consider the restoration of the ability of officers of Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program to accept and address public complaints regarding the right to navigation as part of a larger and more comprehensive complaint resolution process.

Recommendation 11

That the government ensure that the interests and concerns of stakeholders such as farmers and municipalities are considered when any changes to the NPA are enacted.