Provincial news: Saskatchewan asbestos, New Brunswick lobbyists, B.C. water protection

British Columbians have just a few days — until November 15 — to submit their feedback to the Ministry of the Environment on the proposed new Water Sustainability Act. The act will be introduced during the spring 2014 legislative session to replace the existing Water Act. The Ministry says the new act will make improvements in seven areas in order to: protect streams and aquatic environment; consider water in land-use decisions; regulate and protect groundwater; regulate water use during times of scarcity; improve security, water use efficiency and conservation, measure and report large scale water use, and provide for a range of government approaches.

New Brunswick has introduced legislation that will require professional lobbyists to register with the government and pay a fee. The information will be made public. Lobbyists will be subject to initial fines of up to $25,000 for a variety of offences, including the failure to register; failure to provide accurate and complete information; and making false or misleading statements. Associated Press reports that New Brunswick and P.E.I. are the only provinces that do not have such a registry. For more information, click here.

http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/news/news_release.2013.11.1127.html

The Government of Saskatchewan is the first province to require its public buildings to publicly report the presence of asbestos. The Public Health (Howard’s Law) Amendment Act makes the web-based Saskatchewan Asbestos Registry mandatory for crown corporations, school districts, health regions and facilities and provincial government buildings. The mandatory registry was created due to the efforts of Howard Willems, who passed away a year ago after being diagnosed with cancer as a result of inhaling asbestos fibers.

For more information, click here.