Last chance to protect your right to paddle

The people of Canada have explored the country's wilderness by canoe and kayak since before the country was born. And for over a century, The Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) has protected rivers, streams and creeks from development projects that impact the environment and obstruct navigation.

But now parliament is using passage of the 2009 budget to make changes to the NWPA that would erode the Act's protection of unobsructed navitation on rivers, creeks and streams.

UPDATE, MARCH 10:

Bill C-10 has now been passed by Parliament, passed second reading in the Senate and is now in the hands of the Senate's Finance Committee. CPAWS is urging the government one last time to convince the government to change course before this Bill is passed by the Senate.

If you're concerned about the protection of Canada's waterways and your ability to freely navigate them, let Minister Flaherty know by writing a personal letter below. It only takes a few minutes, and your voice can have a big impact.

Here are some ideas to consider in your letter:

• Do you feel it's urgent that changes to the NWPA be removed from the Budget before it passes?
• How would changes to the NWPA affect you personally?
• Do you think that public deserves the right to comment on this important decision outside of a budget bill that is almost assured safe passage?

Please write a PERSONAL letter below.