After the Conservative government used an omnibus budget bill to gut environmental protections for Canadian waterways, Nathan Cullen is pushing to make sure the treasured waterways in Northwest BC remain protected.

Until recently, the Navigable Waters Protection Act protected lakes, rivers and streams and was viewed as a global model for environmental protection. But since the reckless changes made by the Conservative government, fewer than 2% of Canada's waterways are protected. In Skeena-Bulkley Valley, these changes have left every lake, river and stream without protection except for a portion of the Skeena River.

Cullen tabled a bill in Parliament to protect all of the Skeena, as well as the Nass and Stikine Rivers, three of British Columbia's most pristine and culturally and economically significant rivers.

From the Sacred Headwaters to the Pacific Ocean, these mighty rivers represent a symbolic part of First Nations heritage, a major part of our region's salmon economy, important grounds for sport fishing, and a stunning showcase of British Columbia's natural beauty. Cullen's bill would ensure these crucial and beautiful rivers are given proper protection and oversight.

"Our rivers are a crucial piece of who we are as a people in the Northwest," said Cullen. "In December, we showed Shell the door from the Sacred Headwaters, and with this bill, we're showing the Conservative government that we will continue to defend our rivers."

Cullen invites all citizens to take part in this campaign, by signing and sharing the petition to support the bill, and by telling Nathan which lakes, rivers and streams you want to see protected in your community using the form below.