This new act will strengthen current protective measures for Canadian waters within federal jurisdiction through a comprehensive prohibition against bulk water removal. In addition, this bill will prohibit any river improvements designed to link non-boundary or trans-boundary bodies of water to international rivers and use them as a conduit to increase the annual flow of water outside Canada.

"This issue has been very important to me since I entered federal politics in 2004," says Miller. "My riding is bordered on three sides by the Great Lakes and I understand the importance of freshwater resources to our economy, our daily lives and providing Canadians with drinking water."

This Act gives the federal government new inspection and enforcement powers and introduces tough new penalties for violations, including fines of up to $6 million for corporate violations. The bill offers unprecedented federal protection against bulk water exports, while respecting provincial constitutional jurisdiction.

"The goal of this bill is to protect Canada’s drinking water and our rich natural resource for years to come," says Miller.