(OTTAWA) Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's admission that the federal government won't act definitively to prevent bulk water exports ends two years of posturing and months of hinting that the taps are about to be cranked open on Canada's most precious resource.

"What Brian Mulroney started with the first free trade agreement, Jean Chrétien seems determined to complete, and that is an open market for Canada's water," said Maude Barlow, Volunteer Chair of the Council of Canadians. "The Prime Minister can't blame it on the provinces or the Constitution. The federal government has jurisdiction over trade and could ban exports tomorrow. Sadly, Jean Chrétien doesn't seem prepared to do that."

"The Prime Minister seems to have made up his mind that he's in favour of water exports and now appears to be leading the charge. Despite claims by his ministers that they are trying to represent the wishes of Canadians to prevent bulk water exports, Chrétien appears quite willing to surrender control of our water to the marketplace," said Jamie Dunn, Water Campaigner for the Council.

The Council of Canadians will appear before the Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 during the morning session to comment on Bill C-6, an Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act. The treaty is one part of the government's three-part strategy to prevent water exports.

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