(OTTAWA) The Council of Canadians today called on the federal Liberals to ban bulk water exports, create a national water strategy and reverse its recent decision in Bill C-6 to give the Minister of Foreign Affairs the power to license bulk water exports and diversions.

"It's time to end this debate about bulk water exports," said Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians, and co-author of the newly released book Blue Gold. "The science is crystal clear: bulk water exports will hurt the environment. And we all know that sick water systems can produce sick people. If the Liberals want Canadians to believe they are committed to clean, safe water for all, they will ban bulk water exports immediately."

The Council of Canadians today hosted a Newsmaker Breakfast with Professor David Schindler, winner of the 2001 Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering, to talk about his own analysis of the environmental effects of bulk water exports. Dr. Schindler, an aquatic ecologist, has been an outspoken critic of the federal and provincial government's inaction to protect our water resources.

"From an environmental view, exports just don't make sense," said Schindler. "There are numerous dangers, such as habitat destruction, the introduction of invasive species, including harmful parasites and pathogens, and increased potential for mercury contamination and greenhouse gas emissions, to name a few. Nothing should be worth that price."

Last year, Professor Schindler warned of an impending global water crisis and has recently warned the government not to wait until we have another Walkerton-like incident until the government takes action.

The Council released a paper today by environmental researcher Jamie Linton, which reviews the available science on ecological impacts of bulk water exports.

"The science to date adds credibility to the precautionary principle that extreme caution should be exercised in considering removals of any quantity of fresh water from a lake, river or aquifer for any purpose, including exports," said Linton.

Today's Newsmaker Breakfast was held in observation of International Water Day on March 22.

-30-