The Council of Canadians has serious concerns that the proposed Great Lakes Annex will jeopardize the well being of our Great Lakes, the largest freshwater ecosystem in the world and a drinking water source for one third of all Canadians. This new agreement leaves many reasons for all Canadians to be concerned.

1. Allows for new, large-scale water withdrawals

There is nothing in the Annex that restricts how much water can be withdrawn from the Great Lakes. With only 1% of the Great Lake waters being renewed every year, the science is still out on whether or not we are already consuming more than can be sustained. Our Great Lakes cannot be protected by an agreement that allows for new water withdrawals. There must be clear limits on water takings, and there can be no new water withdrawals until it is determined that current water takings are not compromising the health of the Great Lakes.

2. Opens the door to water exports

The Annex makes no distinction between water uses inside the water basin and water uses outside the Great Lakes ecosystem. By avoiding this distinction the Annex leaves the door open to long-distance water removals and even water exports.

3. Undermines Canadian jurisdiction

The federal government has a responsibility to protect Canada’s international waters. By allowing Ontario and Quebec to enter into an agreement with U.S. states, the Annex could undermine Canada’s share of control and responsibility over Great Lakes waters, and all of our shared waters as a result. The Canadian government must take action by condemning the Annex and referring the matter to the International Joint Commission, where Canada and the U.S. have an equal seat at the table.

4. Marginalizes water conservation

Conservation principles in the Annex will only apply to new water takers, and will not be monitored or enforced. It has been estimated that if current Great Lakes water users implemented water conservation principles, there would be sufficient water savings to offset new water usage in the area for almost a decade. Tangible water conservation measures should be mandated for all water takers from the Great Lakes, and should be strictly enforced.

5. Ignores public concerns

To date there have been minimal opportunities for legal experts, indigenous peoples, environmentalists and concerned citizens to review the implications of this landmark agreement. With nothing more than a 90-day comment period during the summer months, it is feared that this crucial agreement will be pushed through with little or no scrutiny. Before implementing the Annex, a more extensive public consultation is required.

We must ensure that any agreement:

• safeguards the Great Lakes as a public trust;
• protects Canada’s share of control and responsibility over the Lakes;
• establishes limits on water takings from the Great Lakes Basin based on sound science and the precautionary principle;
• closes the door to large-scale, long-distance water diversions; and
• enforces water conservation for all users.