According to a new global analysis, about 80 per cent of the world's population lives in areas where the fresh water supply is not secure.
The idea that Canada's vast fresh water supply could end up being a product to bargain with during the ongoing Canadian European Trade Agreement (CETA) talks has sparked debate between residents who think the government is trying to fly under the radar and provincial politicians who deny it.
"I would like to dispel some of these myths and some of the fears and concerns surrounding the CETA talks," said West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre.
"Water is exempt. It is not part of this at all."
Despite that reassurance, some Sea to Sky residents are part of a growing number of concerned Canadians who are worried that the ongoing trade talks, which have been described as more comprehensive than ever before, will end up including water in their exports.
Behind the push for more public awareness about the ongoing discussions is Canada's largest citizens' organization, the Council of Canadians, who have members and chapters across the country.
"We work to protect Canadian independence by promoting progressive policies on fair trade, clean water, energy security, public health care, and other issues of social and economic concern to Canadians," is the organization's self-description on its website.
"For the first time ever, the provincial governments are involved, and foreign firms can bid on procurement contracts at the municipal level," said Whistler resident Pina Belperio, Council of Canadians member of the Whistler chapter.
"EU trade negotiators have asked that drinking water be included, opening the door to large EU multinational water companies, like Suez and Veolia, to stake a claim in Canada's public water systems."
She said this free trade agreement would interfere with local and municipal policies for the first time, and yet mayors and municipal councillors are not part of the negotiations.
Squamish resident Star Morris, another concerned citizen, contacted McIntyre to find out whether she could initiate a discussion in the corridor and send input in time for the seventh round of talks to be held in Ottawa in April.
Morris has been researching the issue for several months and "after delving into this for a while, my concerns have increased."
"I'm worried that water will follow suit of softwood lumber, which was part of the NAFTA agreement when B.C. lost control of its own product," she said.
"The principles of having a trade agreement where foreign investors have those rights takes away our rights."
When contacted by Morris, McIntyre forwarded her concerns to Don White, the executive director of the Trade Initiatives Branch at the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment (MTTI).
McIntyre said MTTI negotiators will represent B.C.'s interests at the next CETA meeting and White responded to Morris's concerns.
"It is Canada's long-standing position that water in its natural state is not considered a good' or 'product' and therefore remains outside the scope of Canada's trade agreements," he wrote in his response.
"Federal safeguards prohibit the bulk removal of boundary waters from their basins for any reason, including export. Provinces also have measures in place to protect water within their jurisdictions."
In response to Morris's concerns about the significance of B.C.'s proposed new Water Sustainability Act, White reassured her that "nothing in any of Canada's trade agreements prevents governments from setting standards to ensure that Canadians have access to safe drinking water."
"All companies operating in Canada, both domestic and foreign, must respect Canadian laws and regulations and this is not affected by trade agreements," he wrote.
McIntyre reminded constituents that trade is an integral part of a country's success.
"We're looking for opportunities for our products in the world and we're looking for investors to come and create jobs here," she said. "We make no apologies for being pro-trade.
"Despite this and being a resource province, water is not one of our resources - we don't export water."
Despite White's response, Morris said she feels there needs to be more of a discussion coming from constituents and their provincial government instead of just reassurance.
"I don't think a lot of people realize just how fortunate we are to have access to water the way we do," she said.
"Everyone is so busy with life, they don't pay attention until something goes wrong. They think if it's not broken, don't fix it."
