Québec Solidaire (QS) announced on Saturday that it would submit a bill for improved access to water by the end of the parliamentary session.
“With the climate crisis, summers are getting hotter and heat waves are getting more intense. Having access to a body of water to cool off is not a luxury, it is a real public health concern!” said Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue MP Émilise Lessard-Therrien.
According to QS, the lack of access to spaces for outdoor recreation has been identified as an aggravating factor of the pandemic, particularly in the most deprived neighborhoods.
“Not everyone is equal when it comes to access to natural areas: people living in disadvantaged areas generally have less access to quality and safe parks and natural areas, which has a negative impact on their health. . We have to change that,” added the woman who holds the position of spokeswoman for forests, wildlife and parks within her party.
The project is part of the same desire for access that was announced last week, which is to make access to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries completely free. Québec’s waters are public, but the law provides no way to guarantee public access.