EDITOR,
There seems to be conflicting information regarding 'water' in trade and exports ("MLA tries to dispel water export concerns," The Chief, Feb. 11).
I had contacted MLA Joan McIntyre regarding concerns about the comprehensive economic and trade negotiations currently taking place between Canada and the EU (CETA) and its implications for our public water services.
My concerns were forwarded and responded to by Don White, the executive director of the Trade Initiatives Branch at the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Investment - the ministry whose negotiators will represent B.C.'s interests at the next CETA talks.
Mr. White's response left me with more questions - and a keen desire to look further. My findings conflict with the feedback I received.
In his response, Mr White wrote that "water in its natural state is not considered a 'good' or 'product' and therefore remains outside the scope of Canada's trade agreements." "All companies operating in Canada, both domestic and foreign, must respect Canadian laws and regulations. This is not affected by trade agreement."
On the contrary, I understand that our trilateral trade agreement with the U.S. and Mexico (NAFTA) is a "super-national" agreement - meaning that its provisions supersede federal and provincial laws and regulations.
Testament to this is the record-setting $130-million NAFTA settlement, last year, with AbitibiBowater, a Canadian firm registered in the U.S. According to a legal opinion, this is precedent setting and "has effectively privatized Canada's water by allowing foreign investors to assert a proprietary claim to water permits and even water in its 'natural' state."
With many corporations being taken over by foreign investors, how vulnerable are we to further challenges under the Chapter 11 provisions of NAFTA?
MLA McIntyre also commented, "Despite [being pro-trade] and being a resource province, water is not one of our resources - we don't export water."
Perhaps not "real" water - yet - but like the rest of Canada, B.C.'s trade is deeply dependent on the quantity and quality of its water. Enormous amounts of water are imbedded in our exported products - electricity, gas, wood, seafood... what economists have termed "virtual" water. As such, there is concern that exporting "real" water would adversely affect the economy.
Regarding concerns surrounding CETA, MLA McIntyre says "Water is exempt. It is not part of this at all."
Yet, based on a legal opinion of leaked documents, EU trade negotiators have asked that Canada include drinking water services under the CETA procurement agreement.
CETA trade negotiations are continuing through the federal election. The next round of talks is next week, and will be the first time provincial offers will be exchanged with the EU. Those offers will include services, including public water, health, transit and energy services, as well as public procurement by provincial and municipal government agencies.
Concerns remain - if the ministry representing B.C.'s interests at these CETA talks is unfamiliar with the implications of existing trade agreements (NAFTA), what can we expect?
For further discussion, on April 18, the community is invited to come together at Quest University. Squamish CAN will be having a movie and discussion night featuring the documentary "Water On The Table."
Star Morris
Squamish
