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NWPA Regulatory Framework

The Navigable Water Protection Act (NWPA) is a federal law designed to protect the public right of navigation. In order to minimize the impact to navigation, the Navigable Waters Protection Program (NWPP) ensures that works constructed in navigable waterways are reviewed and regulated.

The Act authorizes NWP officers to order the removal of unapproved works that render navigation so difficult it becomes dangerous. As a last recourse NWP Officers can remove the obstruction at the public’s expense.

The Navigable Waters Protection Program is guided by the NWPA and its regulations and administered by the Minister of Transport.

Other Useful Laws and Regulations:

Navigable Waters Protection Act (R.S., 1985, c. N-22) - [PDF version, 254 Kb]*
Ferry Cable Regulations (SOR/86-1026)
Navigable Waters Bridges Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1231)
Navigable Waters Works Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1232)
Proclamation Exempting Tom MacKay Lake from the Operation of Section 22 of the Act (SOR/2005-226)
Proclamation Exempting the Waters of Sandy Pond from Section 22 of the Act (SOR/2009-202) new 2009.07.08
Minor Works and Waters (Navigable Waters Protection Act) Order - new (published in Canada Gazette) - [PDF version, 938 Kb]*
Disposal at Sea Regulations (SOR/2001-275)
Collision Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1416)
Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (SOR/2008-120)
Sections 108 and 109 of the National Energy Board Act
Private Buoy Regulations (SOR/99-335)
Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (1992, c. 37)

The Minister of Transport is also responsible for the administration of the Receiver of Wreck Program under the Canada Shipping Act 2001, Part 7.

Please select the following link to learn more about the Acts and Regulations for which the Minister of Transport is responsible and for which he shares responsibility.

Transport Canada - Acts and Regulations

*To access the Portable Document Format (PDF) version you must have a PDF reader installed. If you do not already have such a reader, there are numerous PDF readers available for free download or for purchase on the Internet: