Green Party calls for clear statement on bulk water exports

Government must protect Canada's water supply, says Green Party

OTTAWA – The Green Party is calling on the federal government to state categorically that it supports Canada’s current water policy, which prohibits bulk water exports to the US and Mexico.

“We are deeply concerned about the continual push towards continental integration that is going ahead largely outside public and parliamentary scrutiny,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May.

The Green Party has learned that “water consumption, water transfers and artificial diversions of bulk water” were on the agenda at a roundtable on the “Future of the North American Environment,” held in Calgary last week.

“Canada's role in these proceedings is increasingly relegated to that of a natural resource base for the North American economy,” said Ms. May.

The roundtable is part of a series conducted by the North American Future 2025 Project designed to hasten implementation of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). The final report of the North American Future 2025 Project will be submitted to the Canadian, Mexican and US governments by September 2007, with the aim of “maximizing the policy impact.”

The Green Party’s international trade critic, Dr. Janet Eaton, warns that even though planners downplay the water agenda as a strategic planning exercise, the evidence suggests otherwise.

"We know that water – intentionally left on the back burner at the time of the SPP announcement – has moved to the front burner of the SPP proceedings,” said Dr. Eaton, who noted that rhetoric in support of selling our water has been increasing over the past year in both the mainstream media and from business consultants floating investment strategies.

“We’ve also learned that NAFTA super-corridors envisioned to run between Mexico and Canada will include infrastructure for utilities, including water pipelines.”

The Green Party rejects any federal or supra-national commitments or agreements that open the way to bulk water exports and would serve the required six months’ notice to withdraw from NAFTA in favour of a more democratic, responsible and equitable trade agreement with the US and Mexico.

Dr. Eaton said she is seeking leave to present the Green Party position at hearings on the SPP being conducted by the Standing Committee on International Trade.