That's an excellent question, Mr. Chairman.
Water is more or less included in the same category as all other natural resources. Water belongs — if I may use this expression — to the provinces. However, when water flows over a provincial or international border, the federal government also has jurisdiction under the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act.
The provinces basically have jurisdiction. But if the water flows over a border, the federal government is also involved. It also has jurisdiction to apply regulations under the Criminal Code.
Until now, federal-provincial relations with regard to the management of water have always been very good. There is excellent cooperation between the Quebec, Ontario and federal governments with regard to the St. Lawrence River.
In our opinion, it is not as important to know who is responsible as it is to agree on realistic management objectives for Canada's waters.