OTTAWA - The Council of Canadians condemns Quebec Environment Minister Thomas Mulcair’s proposition to yet again explore the bulk export of water from the province, despite the threats that these exports would pose for all of Canada’s water under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Since 1999, the Council of Canadians has called for the Federal government to take action to protect Canada’s water from imminent export threats.

For over a decade, the Federal government has shirked its responsibility on this issue by relying on the provinces for voluntary bulk water removal bans. This has resulted in a patchwork of legislations that ultimately leave Canada’s waters unprotected from international trade threats.

“This is a foolhardy and dangerous proposition,” says Sara Ehrhardt, National Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “Once one province opens the floodgates to water exports, it will be impossible to prevent other provinces from following suit.”

Despite the Federal government’s claims, water is included in NAFTA as both a good and a service. Steven Shrybman, an Ottawa trade lawyer with the firm Sack Goldblatt Mitchell, has declared Mulcair's proposal "a foolish and reckless dream" and confirms that if Quebec were to begin exporting water “Canada could be compelled to continue bulk water exports to the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).”

The Federal government must take immediate action to exempt water from destructive trade deals such as the NAFTA that would privatize, commodify, and put our precious water on the open global market for the highest bidder.

Says Ehrhardt, “with an election next week, Canadians have a real opportunity to make their voices heard. Tell your candidates that you value Canada’s water, and want it kept public, protected, and priceless.”

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