Bruce Grey Owen Sound Conservative MP Larry Miller has tabled a new private members bill — calling for the end of bulk water sales from our great lakes.
The Bill is an Act to amend the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act and the International River Improvements Act.
Miller tells Bayshore Broadcasting News it protects Canadas water resources by strengthening prohibitions on bulk water removal and diversions.
The Conservative MP doesn’t want to see fresh water used as a commodity and taken from Canada to be sold elsewhere around the world.
The bill also prohibits any river improvements designed to link non-boundary or transboundary bodies of water to international rivers and use them as a conduit to increase the annual flow of water outside Canada.
While he recognizes water levels in the Great Lakes have come back over the last few years, Miller says that will change if Canada allows mass amounts of diversion or water sales.
The Act gives the federal government new inspection and enforcement powers and introduces tough new penalties for violations, including fines of up to $6 million for corporate violations.
But as the bill offers unprecedented federal protection against bulk water exports, Miller says it still respects provincial constitutional jurisdiction.
And Miller says the Bill doesn’t in any way stop city’s like Owen Sound from drawing water for their residents.
Miller says he already has the support of some opposition MP’s and predicts the Bill will be close to garnering unanimous support.
Miller thinks he will speak to the Bill sometime in February.
