Posted: October 28, 2025

Taking care of the river starts at the municipal level

With the 2025 Quebec municipal elections approaching, we want to highlight the important role of municipalities in safeguarding our waterways and what to keep in mind when your municipality goes to the polls.

Water is the heart of our communities. Rivers and lakes shape where we live, work, and play. But municipalities shape the health of those waterways in return. Much of freshwater protection stems from decisions and actions taken at the municipal level. 

It might be surprising to think that a mighty river like the Ottawa depends on municipal decisions, but it does. Even strong federal and provincial regulations rely on municipal enforcement to be effective. Without committed action at the local level, broader regional protections may not be applied consistently.

Municipalities also carry direct responsibility for issues that have a daily impact on freshwater health, such as road salt management, boat washing stations to prevent the spread of invasive species, and addressing combined sewer overflows. When municipalities look beyond their borders to take a watershed-wide approach and protect local waterways, the watershed as a whole prospers.

What can you do to bring the river into the conversation?

As voters, you can help keep freshwater protection on the agenda in municipal elections. Start by learning where your local candidates stand on issues that affect the river, like boat washing, road salt management, shoreline protection, and wetland preservation.

If you cannot find this information, ask. Inquire about how candidates plan to protect your local waterways, adapt to climate change, or prevent the spread of invasive species. These are practical, local actions that add up to real protection for the watershed.

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