Retention of Section 351 Habitat Protection Provisions for the Canada Fisheries Act

WHEREAS habitat is the life support of any species; AND WHEREAS the alteration or destruction of habitat is a common cause of the decline of many species, including fish; AND WHEREAS the protection of habitat is the most effective means of preventing species decline; AND WHEREAS the current Section 351 provisions were developed to provide a science-based approach to the protection of fish whereby qualified professionals can successfully argue against deleterious impacts; AND WHEREAS the current Section 351 provisions form the basis of most other legislation to protects aquatic ecosystems, including local government provisions such as Riparian Areas Protection regulations, and represent the only tool left to help local governments carry out environment protection in light of the progressive withdrawal of federal government including DFO involvement in habitat assessment, planning, monitoring and enforcement; AND WHEREAS the current Section 351 provisions effectively protect a host of environmental goods and services other than fish for Canadians: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM support the retention of Section 351 Habitat Protection provisions of the Canada Fisheries Act.