Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise here today to speak to Motion M-249, presented by the hon. member for Lac-Saint-Louis. I will not read the entire motion, but you will understand why I would like to read part of it.
That, in the opinion of the House, the government should immediately develop, in consultation with the provinces, territories, ... municipalities, local community organizations, and others, an integrated water resources management strategy—
Quebec and the provinces are already masters of their own water. Because it is a natural resource, water is under provincial jurisdiction. The basic powers pertaining to water belong to the provinces. This is set out in the Constitution, which also grants the provinces title to the land, including water, the right to administer these resources and to use them as they see fit.
Thus, Quebec administers its water. Furthermore, Quebec already has its own water resources management strategy. In 2002, when he was environment minister, André Boisclair gave Quebec its policy on water. That policy covers exactly the same things as the motion. That policy already applies the objectives proposed here today, namely, to ensure the protection of the resource, to manage water with a view to sustainable development—which is even better—and to better protect public health and the health of ecosystems.
The Bloc Québécois cannot vote in favour of this motion because it encroaches on an area of provincial jurisdiction. Furthermore, all the provinces—with the exception of New Brunswick—have already taken measures to prevent the export of bulk water. This just goes to show to what extent the provinces have a—