Mr. Chair, I totally support my honourable colleague, Ms. Findlay, and her comments. I sit here and listen, and it is frustrating because we've talked about this. I was in that meeting in 2007 and recollect the discussion that took place. It's not exactly the same as Mr. Julian alluded to.
We've talked about this issue of water numerous times. There is a joint statement by the Government of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 1993 which says:
The NAFTA creates no rights to the natural water resources of any Party to the Agreement. And nothing in the NAFTA would oblige any NAFTA Party to either exploit its water for commercial use, or to begin exporting water in any form. Water in its natural state in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, aquifers, waterbasins and the like is not a good or product, is not traded, and therefore is not and has never been subject to the terms of any trade agreement.
I am not sure why Mr. Julian indicates, as everybody in the room agrees that we don't support bulk water exports or commodification. It's a moot point. Water is no different from any other resource. The fact is we have to ensure that it's a Canadian resource. It's for Canadians, and we'll protect it for Canadians, and that's what we believe.