Today, the federal government released a statement that does nothing but reaffirm its position as an outsider in the negotiation of the protection of the Great Lakes. Moreover, the government’s statement is significantly weaker than when it first expressed opposition to the Annex in 2001.

"International waters are a federal responsibility," says Sara Ehrhardt, National Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. "But our government has done nothing concrete to prevent what may be the greatest threat facing the Great Lakes."

While the federal government's statement "encouraged" that the Annex ban water diversions on both sides of the border, it made no commitment to stop the Annex from endangering the Great Lakes. Although Canada has essentially banned water diversions, there is nothing in place to prevent the US from diverting water without limit under the Annex agreement.

"Already, Waukesha, Wisconsin is trying to use the Annex process to divert water from the Great Lakes Basin," says Ehrhardt. "If this happens, the floodgates will be opened, and neither Canadian provinces nor the federal government can stop the US diversions."

"Our federal government has to take action to make sure that water diversions are stopped on both sides of the border."

Today and tomorrow, the Great Lakes Governors, Ontario and Quebec are holding negotiations on the Annex 2001 in Chicago. In allowing these negotiations to continue, the federal government has refused to assert its jurisdiction to protect the Lakes.

The Council of Canadians is asking citizens to phone, fax, or email the federal government to express their concerns and to demand action to stop the Great Lakes Annex.

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