"In simple terms, the national treatment and proportional sharing rules of NAFTA would make it virtually impossible for Canada to restrict water exports once underway."

Steven Shrybman, Executive Director - West Coast Environmental Law

"We must be extremely cautious when evaluating the risks of commodifying our most precious gift from nature, and the very basis of life itself."

Maude Barlow, National Chair - Council of Canadians

Water is an essential component of life and outlives all humans by far;
Water cannot be owned by anyone;
its use must be regulated according to four priorities of decreasing importance:

• protection of life
• improvement of human well being (individuals and communities)
• contribution to the economy without trans-basin diversion or export, and
• other uses when the first three priorities are met.

National Centre for Sustainability
Principles and Priorities relative to water

When it comes to natural resources and meeting basic human needs, we believe the public is best served by keeping control safely in the hands of the community as a whole…One fifth of the world's freshwater supply is located in Canada. Water is a public trust and a vital, irreplaceable resource. We need to protect it for ourselves and for future generations.

Canadian Union of Public Employees