Conservatives announce plan to end practice of dumping raw sewage in our waters

October 02, 2019

A new Conservative government will work with provinces and territories to protect waters

Conservative candidate for Richmond-Arthabaska Alain Rayes was joined by Robert Coutu, candidate for La Pointe-de-l’île, spoke at Parc de l’hôtel de ville about Canada’s Conservative’s plan to protect our waters. A new Conservative government led by Andrew Scheer will work with the provinces and municipalities to put an end to raw sewage being dumped in waterways across Canada.

“Our waterways should not be used as a toxic dumping ground and it’s our responsibility to protect these vital natural assets for future generations to enjoy,” said Rayes. “In one of her first acts as environment minister, Catherine McKenna gave the go-ahead to the City of Montreal to dump eight billion litres of raw sewage into one of Canada’s most iconic waterways, the Saint Lawrence River. It’s disgusting and it’s wrong. We will help put an end to it.”

Eight billion litres is the equivalent of 3,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

In 2017 alone, municipalities dumped 215 billion litres of raw sewage untreated into lakes and rivers across the country.

“Since taking office, Justin Trudeau has failed to protect our waterways from pollution,” said Rayes. “This is not acceptable. Trudeau is putting the biodiversity values of our land, waterways, and marine environments at risk.”

When it comes to the environment, Justin Trudeau makes big promises and then fails to deliver. He claims his government is on track to reduce Canada’s emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 but reports by his own government say he’s not even close. When it comes to protecting our environment, Justin Trudeau is not as advertised.

Canada’s Conservatives have a proud legacy when it comes to managing Canada’s natural environment and improving Canada’s environmental performance. A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment builds on this proud legacy andwill further lower Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen environmental protections, with the core Conservative promise to put more money in Canadians’ pockets so they can get ahead.

FACTS:

  • Since coming to power, Justin Trudeau has done nothing to tackle this problem. He continues to use our waterways as a dumping ground for toxic waste.
  • In 2007, the previous Conservative government implemented the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund. It funded over 200 community-based projects that restored fish and wildlife populations, planted thousands of new trees, and reduced harmful sewage and waste dumps into watersheds. The Trudeau Liberals cancelled the fund in 2017.
  • The previous Conservative government had an excellent track record on waste management. We created the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations to set higher standards for wastewater treatment, and made wastewater investments across the country.
  • Canada’s Conservatives recognize the global environmental impact of climate change. That is why we have a responsible, fully costed and effective plan to address global emissions, built on three guiding principles:
  • Green Technology, Not Taxes
  • A Cleaner and Greener Natural Environment
  • Taking the Climate Change Fight Global

ANDREW SCHEER’S PLAN FOR YOU TO GET AHEAD:

  • Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and home heating.
  • Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving an average couple $850.
  • Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
  • Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
  • Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
  • Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
  • Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
  • Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest-income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
  • Boost government-matching to RESP’s by 50 per cent, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
  • Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

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