The draft agreement now under public review courtesy of the Great Lakes governors is not getting a welcome from some north of the border:
Diversion of Great Lakes water risks environment, Cdn sovereignty: critics
Sun Sep 19, 6:10 PM ET
COLIN PERKEL
TORONTO (CP) - An American proposal to allow the diversion of water from the Great Lakes threatens both the environment and Canada's sovereignty, critics warn.
In submissions to be made at public hearings on Monday, several groups plan to argue the proposed agreement among eight U.S. states, especially in its current form, is dangerous. The proposal, known as the Implementing Agreement for Annex 2001, would end a virtual moratorium on new or increased water diversions south of the border.
Even though the legislation would allow only small-scale diversions, expert water consultant Ralph Pentland warns it would still be a very large foot in the door.
"In the business of water, once you say maybe, you say yes," Pentland said in an interview from Ottawa.
The Council of Canadians, which will present at Toronto hearings hosted by the Council of the Great Lakes Governors, also wants to make its "vehement" opposition to the proposal known.
"The eight U.S. states are forming an agreement where they're going to sell Great Lakes water," said Sara Ehrhardt, water campaigner for the group.
"It's going to open the door for the sale of water on a large scale."