“We have been quick to assume rights to use water

but slow to recognize obligations to preserve and

protect it…”

- Sandra Postel, Last Oasis

Water in the context of Alberta

Maude Barlow UNA clip

Blue planet project part 1/3 10:35 http://www.una.ab.ca/news/archive/MaudeBarlowUNAAGM

Fact: Alberta has a growing water

crisis

CLIMATE CHANGE

Current Allocation System

Based off of the 1894 North West Irrigation Act to encourage people to settle in the westBecame the First in Time, First in Right system (FITFIR)Review in the 90’s led to adoption of the 1999 Water Act

Problems with the current system

Junior licenses have no water security in dry years (FITFIR)No prioritization of basic human needs or for clean water usersEcosystem and instream flow levels not recognizedDisrespect for First Nations water rightsPoor enforcement

We need chang

e

What are water markets?

The 1999 Water Act introduced “water transfers” to allow reallocation of water between usersAugust 30, 2006 the government placed a moratorium on new water licenses in the SSRBCreated Canada’s first water market

Reasons for Concern

Commodification of the commons: selling the right to use waterLicenses to use collective water given away and can now be soldLeaves social and environmental needs to be determined by the marketMunicipalities, small farmers and others must now compete with industryWater will go to the highest bidder, not public interest

Visualize A River

Given all of the demands on the use of water, how would you decide to prioritize those uses? Who do you think should be involved in this decision making process?

Provincial Review of the Water Act

In 2008, Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner, announced he would review and update Alberta’s water allocation system.

“The water allocation system that we have in place needs to be reviewed.” (Minister Rob Renner who added that a public review will come within 18 months) -Calgary Herald September 4th, 2008

Top Down Decision Making

“Come August or September, I’ll have enough of an idea on the direction we want to go that we’ll put together a document that will then become the focus of public consultations; it’s important that the people have something specific to comment on.” –Calgary Herald, March 9, 2008.

Since then three reports have been publicly submitted to the Government of Alberta, all assuming water markets are THE policy option.

The Reports

The reports are from the Minister’s Advisory Group, Alberta Water Council (WATSUP team), Alberta Water Research Institute

The AWC’s mandate: “Review the water allocation transfer system to ensure a viable market that moves water to support sustainable economic development.”

What did the ‘experts’ Say?

Maintain FITFIR systemProtect water? WCO’s are

ProblematicTreat water licenses like a

private property in a watermarket

Set up private brokers to Facilitate water transfers

Tiered review processAbolishing need for planning

and enforcement (WMP’s)

Problems with the proposed system

No security for junior licenses in times of water scarcity (FITFIR)No prioritization for clean water users, basic human needs, and the ecosystem No deterrents for dirty water usersNo respect for First Nation’s water rightsPoor enforcement

Clean Water Uses?

Quotes directly from the Reports“Abolish the requirement to have a Water Management Plan, approved by Cabinet, before transfers are allowed.” (MAG)“Remove operational barriers and streamline the transfer system” (MAG)“Provide an efficient means of re-allocating water from lower-value uses to higher-value uses.” (AWC)

Higher Value Uses

“…one that translates into a higher Gross Domestic Product, more

money circulating in a community, more tax dollars, etc.” (AWC)

Myth: Water markets could increase GDP and that can only be good

for society

Fact: Car accidents, oil spills, and extreme weather also increase the GDP.

Myth: Water markets encourage

conservationFact: Water is not a typical

commodity and water markets have proven to have drastic consequences worldwide. Water markets create a profit incentive for license holders to use the entirety of their allocation taking water previously available for in-stream flow away.

“We are far too willing to gamble with things that are precious and irreplaceable.”

-Naomi Klein

Failures of markets internationally

Australia: John Caldecott, Convenor of the Water Allocation Coalition, stated “it has become the biggest scandal and disaster of our time…in terms of its economic, social, and environmental significance.”

Chile: major contributing factor to the declining financial well being of small farmers

HeadlinesGrowing Pressure on water supplies affecting one in five global businesses – The Guardian, November 12, 2010

Growing Pressure on water supplies affecting one in five global businesses – The Guardian, November 12, 2010

Okotoks makes ‘critical’

request for more water –

Calgary Herald, November 15, 2010Okotoks makes ‘critical’

request for more water –

Calgary Herald, November 15, 2010Our water might

be for sale -

Bonnyville Nouvelle,

November 16, 2010

Our water might

be for sale -

Bonnyville Nouvelle,

November 16, 2010

Okotoks loses bid for

more river water –Calgary

Herald, January 1, 2011

Water corporation raises its water delivery rates –Brooks Bulletin, Tuesday January 11, 2011

Water corporation raises its water delivery rates –Brooks Bulletin, Tuesday January 11, 2011

Alternatives

Prioritize environment and basic human needsUN recognition of water as a human rightPublic Trust DoctrineReplace FITIFIR with a “share system” based on flowsTake unused water portion of licenses back for water protection with no impact on real use of waterProposal coming soon!

What can you do?

Sign on to the open letter to Environment Minister Rob Renner.Learn more about the water review and your own watershed.

Spread the word! Talk about the issue with your friends and family or host a presentation!

Action tool kit coming soon!Stay informed! Sign up for updates and action alerts.

Stay Connected!Our Water Is Not For Sale

Network:www.ourwaterisnotforsale.com

Council of Canadians: http://www.canadians.org/water

Prairie Water Directive:http://www.prairiewaterwatch.caSierra Club Prairie Chapter:

http://prairie.sierraclub.caPublic Interest Alberta:http://www.pialberta.org

Thank You!