The revised draft agreements are stronger than those previously released for comment and would provide a virtual ban on diversions of water from the basin with very limited exceptions that would be strictly regulated.
Three additional meetings will be held in:
Niagara Falls - July 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Fallsview Hotel
Sarnia - August 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Best Western Guildwood Inn
Windsor - August 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cleary International Centre.
The province has already held public information meetings in Windsor, St. Catharines, London, Kitchener, Kingston, Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie and will hold a meeting in Toronto tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Metro Hall Council Chambers at 55 John Street.
The revised agreements can be viewed at www.ene.gov.on.ca/samples/search/Ebrquery_REG.htm by entering EBR Registry Number PB04E6018. Comments are welcome and may be sent to greatlakesannex@mnr.gov.on.ca. A mailing address and fax number are listed at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/water/greatlakes/.
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on August 11, 2005]
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www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/w...
Great Lakes Agreements
Posted on Wednesday, August 10 at 18:48 by RuralContributed By
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WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SECOND DRAFT AGREEMENTS?<br />
<a href="http://www.canadians.org/browse_categories.htm?COC_token=23@@3498573e363010f34a980d02f5471dff&step=2&catid=350&iscat=1">http://www.canadians.org/browse_categories.htm?COC_token=23@@3498573e363010f34a980d02f5471dff&step=2&catid=350&iscat=1</a><br />
<br />
They threaten Canadian authority over the Lakes<br />
The Annex is composed of two agreements: an agreement between the eight U.S. states that is legally binding and approved by Congress, and a "good faith" agreement between the U.S. states and the Canadian provinces. Canada does not have an equal seat at the table, but instead assumes a “consultative” role. If the U.S. decided to allow diversions, it could do so without Canada’s consent.<br />
<br />
They allow diversions from the Great Lakes<br />
The second draft of the agreements states that no diversions will be permitted from the Great Lakes. But this is undermined by an exception for the Chicago diversion, the largest diversion from the Great Lakes. The agreements also grant special rights to communities and counties that straddle the Great Lakes. Through these exceptions, the agreements continue to allow vast and ever-growing amounts of water to be diverted from the Great Lakes to cities outside the basin.<br />
<br />
They marginalize the International Joint Commission<br />
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is responsible for overseeing and arbitrating transboundary water issues, especially disputes. Canada and the U.S. have equal representation on the IJC. The second draft agreements set up a separate, parallel body to the IJC, wherein Canada is not fairly represented, to settle disputes over the Great Lakes. By allowing another body to do the work of the IJC, the agreements will essentially make the IJC irrelevant, therefore restricting Canada’s ability to responsibly steward the future of the Lakes.<br />
<br />
They ignore the public<br />
The already inadequate public consultation process has been shortened from 90 days to 60 days. It will also take place during the summer when fewer people are able to participate. It is inadequate and completely inappropriate to silence the voices of concerned citizens.<br />
<br />
The Council of Canadians, with Clean Water Action and Public Citizen from the United States, requested an extension to the public consultation process from the Council of Great Lakes Governors.<br />
<br />
<br />
act now:<br />
<br />
Dear Prime Minister Martin<br />
<br />
I have been following the Great Lakes Annex Implementing Agreements that Ontario and Quebec negotiated with the United States. I am concerned that the federal government has remained silent because the second draft of the agreements continues to threaten the Great Lakes. <br />
<br />
A third round of negotiations is needed because: <br />
- Sovereignty is threatened. Canadians do not want to give up the right to manage the Great Lakes and allow the United States to govern our freshwater supply.<br />
- Water will be diverted from the Great Lakes. The Annex will allow Chicago and straddling communities to continue to take water at an unsustainable rate.<br />
- The public consultation process is not enough. There are only two weeks of public meetings in Ontario, with almost no notice. Canadians want their voices to be heard!<br />
<br />
The federal government must act now to protect our precious freshwater.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For other points of view, visit the Sierra Club: A Citizen’s Primer to Protect the Great Lakes and the St-Lawrence River: <a href="http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/great-lakes/great-lakes-primer.pdf">http://www.sierraclub.ca/national/great-lakes/great-lakes-primer.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Ministry of Natural Resources: Water Resources: <a href="http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/water/">http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/water/</a><br />
<br />
Political Diversions: Annex 2001 and the Future of the Great Lakes: <a href="http://www.powi.ca/pdfs/waterdiversion/nikiforuk_June2004.pdf">http://www.powi.ca/pdfs/waterdiversion/nikiforuk_June2004.pdf</a><br />
<br />
Decision Time: Water Diversion Policy in the Great Lakes Basin: <a href="http://www.wilsoncenter.org/events/docs/water.pdf">http://www.wilsoncenter.org/events/docs/water.pdf</a><br />
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<p>---<br>... just a friendly reminder to always take the internet less seriously than you take your gut!<br />
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