Federal Laws

Under Canada’s Constitution Act, 1867 the Government of Canada received one set of responsibilities, while the governments of the provinces were given another.  Environment (or watershed management) is nowhere to be found in the division of responsibilities, and both levels of government have powers over some issues that relate to watershed planning. 

The federal government is responsible for, among other things:

·         fish (which has been interpreted to include fish habitat),

·         navigation of oceans and rivers,

·         oceans,

·         matters relating to First Nations and their land, and

·         inter-provincial or international matters.

Pursuant to these powers the Federal Government has passed a range of laws that may be relevant to watershed management:

·         Canada Marine Act

·         Canada National Marine Conservation Act

·         Canada National Parks Act

·         Canada Oil & Gas Act

·         Canada Petroleum Resources Act

·         Canada Shipping Act

·         Canada Water Act

·         Canada Wildlife Act

·         Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

·         Canadian Environmental Protection Act

·         First Nations Land Management Act

·         Fisheries Act

·         Indian Act

·         International Boundary Waters Treaty Act

·         International River Improvements Act

·         Migratory Bird Convention Act

·         National Energy Board Act

·         Navigable Waters Protection Act

·         Oceans Act

·         Oil & Gas Pipelines Act

·         Pest Products Control Act

·         Species at Risk Act

 

Related Guide Pages:

·         Federal Government Authority

·         Legislation and Sources of Law

·         Provincial Laws

·         Planning Processes

For more information about Federal Laws:

·         Government of Canada website.

·         Department of Justice’s Laws Page – A complete list of current federal statutes.