US To Get Unlimited Access To Great Lakes Water

The Annex 2001 is not one, but two agreements: a non-binding agreement between Ontario, Quebec, and the eight US States bordering the Great Lakes; and a binding agreement known as the Compact.

The Compact is exclusive to the eight US states and authorizes the diversion of Great Lakes waters without limit. Under the Compact, Canadians will have no say in approving water diversions, regardless of their duration, scale, or impact on our shared waters. By placing no limitations on the amount of water that can be withdrawn from the Lakes, the Annex 2001 is no more than a US permit to drain the Great Lakes dry.

The Council of Great Lakes Governors is behind this water grab. With a mandate of facilitating economic growth around the Great Lakes, the Council of Great Lakes Governors is comprised of US state Governors bordering the Great Lakes and the Premiers of Ontario and Quebec.

However, the provinces have only "associative membership" on the Council, meaning an honorary seat at the table and a mere consultative role. The provinces can't have a binding role in the Great Lakes Governors' negotiations; only the government of Canada has the jurisdiction to negotiate and enter into agreements with the United States.

While Canada shirks its responsibility, Ontario and Quebec serve as little more than window dressing in an organization designed to "shape the direction of North America's economic prosperity." Canada, in allowing these province-to-state discussions to take place, has abdicated its duty to protect our waters and is instead permitting US economic interests to determine the fate of the Great Lakes.

And as our federal government remains silent, our thirsty neighbor to the South appears to be getting louder. This year, George Bush declared the Great Lakes a national treasure - a US national treasure.

Since 1909, the International Joint Commission (IJC) has been the agency where Canada has an equal seat at the table with the United States on shared water issues. Some years ago the IJC called on Canada and the US to develop policies around water diversions that would protect the integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem. This is where the future of the Great Lakes should be decided.

Canadians have half ownership, half jurisdiction and - given the record of our beloved neighbor- twice the responsibility to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem as a shared heritage for future generations on both sides of the border.

It is imperative that our federal government use every possible means to condemn this agreement and protect our Great Lakes from American interests.

As citizens come together to raise our voices against diversions and in defense of our Great Lakes, we hope that Paul Martin is preparing to speak up as well. Indeed, the future of the largest fresh water ecosystem in the world depends upon it.

Sara Ehrhardt is the National Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians.

Original article: Water grab calls for federal intervention

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