ACTION ALERT: Stop the introduction of a water market in the BC Water Act!

The recently released framework for the Modernization of the British Columbia Water Act by the Liberal government proposes to introduce water markets, also called 'tradable permits', to allocate water licences in the province. The implications of such a framework are very serious. It would essentially remove regulatory control over the allocation of water and allow for allocation priorities to be determined by a market and purchasing power. Communities and various levels of government would be prevented from prioritizing social and environmental needs over corporate interests.

Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow says, "Water markets are a big concern because the public loses control of something that is a human right and essential for life and it becomes a market commodity. We need to have such a strong model of conservation and a notion of equity in access. Letting the market decide who will have access to water violates the public trust doctrine, a principle of common law which regards water as belonging equally to all peoples and managed by governments on their behalf.”

The proposal now being considered would allow for water users who currently hold a licence to sell it to the highest bidder on an open market. Whoever purchases the licence may be able to change what the water is used for, potentially setting up a situation where water currently being used in agriculture ends up being used in a hydraulic fracturing operation. Worse yet, the proposal talks about creating 'a more flexible system...by reducing the government decision making burden and streamlining requirements'. In other words, it would create a deregulated market for BC’s water.

The Technical Background Report released by the province underscores why residents of British Columbia should be alarmed. The report suggests that a water market 'has the potential to reduce the role of regulators in reallocations' and 'may even create incentives for further withdrawals in overburdened systems'. The report also acknowledges that the use of economic instruments such as water markets 'requires careful attention to such concerns as restrictions under free trade agreements and social equity considerations'. However, no information is provided as to how trade agreements such as NAFTA and the now-being-negotiated Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would impact water allocation in a deregulated market in BC.

The Modernization of the Water Act is increasingly focusing on 'economic efficiency' rather than prioritizing a regulatory framework that protects ecological needs and equitable access ensuring the human right to water. A water market would prioritize economic rights over human rights allowing corporations involved in water bottling, hydro-fracking, private 'ruin-of-the-river' power projects, and mining operations to proceed unchallenged with abusive use of water resources due to their vastly superior financial ability to purchase licences in a deregulated market.

TAKE ACTION A new provincial Water Act is expected to be introduced in 2012.  Tell the BC government that you do not want the introduction of a water market to allocate water under the new Water Act. Ask the government to support an allocation system that provides hierarchy of use prioritizing ecological and social needs. 1) Though the ability for resident's to engage has be significantly limited in recent months you are able to engage with the process by posting to the 'Living Water Smart' blog: (http://blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart/) or email ian.graeme@gov.bc.ca. The deadline for comments is now March 14. 1)  Though the ability for resident's to engage has be significantly limited in recent months you are able to engage with the process by posting to the 'Living Water Smart' blog: (http://blog.gov.bc.ca/livingwatersmart/) or email ian.graeme@gov.bc.ca. 2)  With the political uncertainty surrounding this process, it is extremely important to raise this issue during the leadership races of all the political parties and to demand that candidates make a commitment to preventing a water market from being introduced in any future legislation. Contact your local MLA today and make sure that all leadership candidates make their position clear.

WEB-LINKS

• UPDATE: Oppose water markets in British Columbia, deadline for comments February 21
• Randy Christensen, staff lawyer with EcoJustice, recently highlighted concerns in his blog post titled 'BC's water to be sold to the highest bidder?'
• The provincial Technical Background Report
• For more information about CETA, visit www.canadians.org/CETA.

For more information or to get involved in organizing against the introduction of a water market in BC please contact the BC-Yukon Regional Office of the Council of Canadians: Email - hgrewal@canadians.org; telephone - 604 688 8846.