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Water Is Essential We use water for: - Drinking - Growing Food

“ We have been quick to assume rights to use water but slow to recognize obligations to preserve and protect it… ” - Sandra Postel, Last Oasis. Water Is Essential We use water for: - Drinking - Growing Food -Washing/ cleaning - Extraction of -Cooking resources

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Water Is Essential We use water for: - Drinking - Growing Food

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  1. “We have been quick to assume rights to use water but slow to recognize obligations to preserve and protect it…” - Sandra Postel, Last Oasis

  2. Water Is Essential We use water for: - Drinking - Growing Food -Washing/ cleaning - Extraction of -Cooking resources -Recreation - Spiritual needs -Producing electricity - Manufacturing

  3. Water in the context of Alberta Maude Barlow UNA clip Blue planet project part 1/3 10:35 http://www.una.ab.ca/news/archive/MaudeBarlowUNAAGM

  4. Fact: Alberta has a growing water crisis

  5. CLIMATE CHANGE

  6. OVER EXTRACTION

  7. Current Allocation System • Based off of the 1894 North West Irrigation Act to encourage people to settle in the west • Became the First in Time, First in Right system (FITFIR) • Review in the 90’s led to adoption of the 1999 Water Act

  8. Problems with the current system • Junior licenses have no water security in dry years (FITFIR) • No prioritization of basic human needs or for clean water users • Ecosystem and instream flow levels not recognized • Disrespect for First Nations water rights • Poor enforcement

  9. We need change

  10. What are water markets? • The 1999 Water Act introduced “water transfers” to allow reallocation of water between users • August 30, 2006 the government placed a moratorium on new water licenses in the SSRB • Created Canada’s first water market

  11. Reasons for Concern • Commodification of the commons: selling the right to use water • Licenses to use collective water given away and can now be sold • Leaves social and environmental needs to be determined by the market • Municipalities, small farmers and others must now compete with industry • Water will go to the highest bidder, not public interest

  12. Visualize A River • Given all of the demands on the use of water, how would you decide to prioritize those uses? • Who do you think should be involved in this decision making process?

  13. Provincial Review of the Water Act • In 2008, Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner, announced he would review and update Alberta’s water allocation system. • “The water allocation system that we have in place needs to be reviewed.” (Minister Rob Renner who added that a public review will come within 18 months) -Calgary Herald September 4th, 2008

  14. Top Down Decision Making • “Come August or September, I’ll have enough of an idea on the direction we want to go that we’ll put together a document that will then become the focus of public consultations; it’s important that the people have something specific to comment on.”–Calgary Herald, March 9, 2008. • Since then three reports have been publicly submitted to the Government of Alberta, all assuming water markets are THE policy option.

  15. The Reports • The reports are from the Minister’s Advisory Group, Alberta Water Council (WATSUP team), Alberta Water Research Institute • The AWC’s mandate: “Review the water allocation transfer system to ensure a viable market that moves water to support sustainable economic development.”

  16. What did the ‘experts’ Say? • Maintain FITFIR system • Protect water? WCO’s are Problematic • Treat water licenses like a private property in a water market • Set up private brokers to Facilitate water transfers • Tiered review process • Abolishing need for planning and enforcement (WMP’s)

  17. Problems with the proposed system • No security for junior licenses in times of water scarcity (FITFIR) • No prioritization for clean water users, basic human needs, and the ecosystem • No deterrents for dirty water users • No respect for First Nation’s water rights • Poor enforcement

  18. Clean Water Uses?

  19. Quotes directly from the Reports • “Abolish the requirement to have a Water Management Plan, approved by Cabinet, before transfers are allowed.” (MAG) • “Remove operational barriers and streamline the transfer system” (MAG) • “Provide an efficient means of re-allocating water from lower-value uses to higher-value uses.” (AWC)

  20. Higher Value Uses “…one that translates into a higher Gross Domestic Product, more money circulating in a community, more tax dollars, etc.” (AWC)

  21. Myth: Water markets could increase GDP and that can only be good for society Fact: Car accidents, oil spills, and extreme weather also increase the GDP.

  22. Myth: Water markets encourage conservation Fact: Water is not a typical commodity and water markets have proven to have drastic consequences worldwide. • Water markets create a profit incentive for license holders to use the entirety of their allocation taking water previously available for in-stream flow away.

  23. Warnings Quotes from Conference Board of Canada Report: • “Greater use of market principles… may end up excluding certain users from access” • “Significant increases [in prices] can be expected as markets establish themselves.” • “Trade agreements…may pose significant risks.”

  24. “We are far too willing to gamble with things that are precious and irreplaceable.” -Naomi Klein

  25. Failures of markets internationally • Australia: John Caldecott, Convenor of the Water Allocation Coalition, stated “it has become the biggest scandal and disaster of our time…in terms of its economic, social, and environmental significance.” • Chile: major contributing factor to the declining financial well being of small farmers

  26. Headlines Growing Pressure on water supplies affecting one in five global businesses – The Guardian, November 12, 2010 Okotoks makes ‘critical’ request for more water – Calgary Herald, November 15, 2010 Our water might be for sale -Bonnyville Nouvelle, November 16, 2010 Pricetag for water buyback rises by $5b –AAP, Dec. 13, 2010 Okotoks loses bid for more river water –Calgary Herald, January 1, 2011 Water corporation raises its water delivery rates –Brooks Bulletin, Tuesday January 11, 2011

  27. Alternatives • Prioritize environment and basic human needs • UN recognition of water as a human right • Public Trust Doctrine • Replace FITIFIR with a “share system” based on flows • Take unused water portion of licenses back for water protection with no impact on real use of water • Proposal coming soon!

  28. What can you do? • Sign on to the open letter to Environment Minister Rob Renner. • Learn more about the water review and your own watershed. • Spread the word! Talk about the issue with your friends and family or host a presentation! • Action tool kit coming soon! • Stay informed! Sign up for updates and action alerts.

  29. Stay Connected! Our Water Is Not For Sale Network:www.ourwaterisnotforsale.com Council of Canadians: http://www.canadians.org/water Prairie Water Directive: http://www.prairiewaterwatch.ca Sierra Club Prairie Chapter: http://prairie.sierraclub.ca Public Interest Alberta: http://www.pialberta.org

  30. Thank You!

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