In the past year, two rivers have been granted self-governing rights - the Magpie/Muteshekau Shipu River and the Sturgeon River. This is part of an international trend towards recognizing rights to natural entities based on indigenous legal traditions that act as stewards of nature. By granting legal personality to these rivers, they become legal subjects who can take legal action and who are subject to rights such as the right to protection, respect for natural cycles and restoration.
L'International Observatory for the Rights of Nature would like to build on this momentum by recognizing Quebec's largest waterway, the St. Lawrence River, as a legal entity with rights. To this end, their team has drafted a bill that recognizes the River as a legal entity, with Guardians to enforce and protect its interests.
The IDLO would now like to hear from citizens and specialists on the subject and a public consultation will be held on September 26, 2021, World Rivers Day.
