Foreign Affairs committee  This isn't just to the United States. Under NAFTA, it's quite clear, Mr. Scarpaleggia, that water is not to be treated as a product, or a commodity—commodity is a better word. It's pretty clear, but I want to point out that this isn't just about exports, if you would, to the Un

Foreign Affairs committee  Could I respond to some of the points you've made?

Foreign Affairs committee  First of all, going back to your earlier comments, the Munk School fully supports this bill. You referred to it being similar to another bill. I made that quite clear. Yes, this is basically Bill C-26, but with some clauses that actually strengthen it. I believe that the amendm

Foreign Affairs committee  Exactly. There's one aspect of it, under the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, that would include, for example, the Great Lakes, which are on both sides of the border. The addition to the International River Improvements Act deals with that. Those are for waters that fl

Foreign Affairs committee  That's a very good point, Mr. Dechert. Yes, my riding is technically surrounded on three sides by water. Georgian Bay and Lake Huron are separated by the Bruce Peninsula. I live right at the base of the Bruce Peninsula. I actually live on part of Georgian Bay. Tourism is our seco

Foreign Affairs committee  Yes, absolutely. Mississauga, Toronto, and the GTA in general, we're all affected by the Great Lakes. Again, this is something that I think benefits almost every Canadian, if not every Canadian.

Foreign Affairs committee  I think I touched on some of them. Obviously, it's water for municipal systems, for expansion. It allows for expansion, whether it's in the city of Mississauga, in the city of Windsor, or in Sarnia or Owen Sound. In my riding, in fact, there are some improvements being made to

Foreign Affairs committee  It has been phenomenal to say the least, Mr. Dechert. I think the vote on October 3 here in Parliament is a good representation of that support. As you know, no bill is ever perfect, and I'm not going to pretend that this one is, but I think it goes a long way toward what we're

Foreign Affairs committee  No, and I think under my definition, and I think under most people's, Mr. Julian, everybody understands what bulk water removal is. I'll just say reasonably sized containers. That's not what this bill is trying to deal with, nor do I think it needs to be dealt with. I have no con

Foreign Affairs committee  I want to be clear on the 20 litres. I used that as an example.

Foreign Affairs committee  Well, we'll just agree to disagree on that one.

Foreign Affairs committee  Okay.

Foreign Affairs committee  I will take that under advisement, but no, I don't believe we need more in there. But I'll take a look at it. I think you realize what my intent is. I think this bill covers it off quite well. But if there's something that will improve it, I'm always going to be open to that. U

Foreign Affairs committee  I can tell you that even to drill a well on a residential property in rural Ontario, you have to apply for a water-taking licence. Even a municipality that wants to expand its municipal water system has to go through that process.

Foreign Affairs committee  Exactly. In fact, I deliberately stay out of provincial jurisdiction. Mr. Scarpaleggia had a bill earlier. I could have supported that bill, except, with all due respect, it went into some provincial jurisdictions. The last thing we need to be doing, I think, is jeopardizing rela