University of Toronto Water Group says New Federal Proposal to protect
Canadian water from Transfers Effective if Strengthened

TORONTO, June 3 /CNW/ - The Canadian Water Issues Council (CWIC) today issued its response to Bill C-26, proposed federal legislation that would amend existing laws to protect Canadian waters from bulk removals (interbasin transfers). Bill C-26 (http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=4528706&file=4) was introduced for first reading on May 13 in the House of Commons.

"We are proposing what we hope might be viewed as 'friendly amendments', said Ralph Pentland, acting Chair of CWIC. "The protection of water resources from interbasin transfers is a goal that is shared by the vast majority of Canadians and which commands broad support across political parties, and the legislation that was introduced could be strengthened significantly with a very few additional changes."

CWIC's response is contained in a letter to Foreign affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon. Full text of this response (English and French) is available at http://www.powi.ca/index_about_cwic.php. Additional information about CWIC, including biographies of the members who drafted the response to Minister Cannon, can be found at http://www.powi.ca

About CWIC

The Canadian Water Issue Council (CWIC) includes many of Canada's most knowledgeable water experts and former senior water policy makers. It was formed in 2007 to conduct policy research, within a university setting, on the topic of Canada/United States transboundary water issues. CWIC members act as advisors to the Program on Water Issues at the Munk School of Global Affairs (formerly the Munk Centre for International Studies) at the University of Toronto. They bring technical expertise, political experience, a passion for water issues and a network of senior government, academic, industry and media contacts. Information on CWIC is available at www.powi.ca

Aussi disponible en français

For further information: Ralph Pentland, Acting Chair of CWIC - [phone]; Owen Saunders, Executive Director, Canadian Institute of Resources Law, University of Calgary - [phone]; Adèle M. Hurley - Director, Program on Water Issues, Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, [phone] or [phone]