OTTAWA - Despite the encouraging statements from the Ontario government, the Council of Canadians remains deeply concerned by the national implications of The Great Lakes Annex 2001.

The Council of Canadians continues to assert that this issue is of national interest, and must be addressed by the Federal government.

In public consultations held throughout Ontario during September, citizens clearly indicated that they opposed any water diversions from the Great Lakes.

Although The Council of Canadians is encouraged that the Ontario government is finally hearing our concerns, we continue to call on the Federal government to speak out and protect the Great Lakes.

“We’re heartened that Ontario has adopted a no-diversion approach to the management of the Great Lakes. We hope that this, plus the outcry from citizens across the country, sends a strong message to the Federal government, who has the ultimate responsibility on this issue, ” says Sara Ehrhardt, National Water Campaigner for The Council of Canadians.

“We sincerely hope that the Federal government and Paul Martin will seriously consider the national implications of this agreement, and will take action to protect the Great Lakes and all of Canada’s shared waters.”

The agreements, released this summer by eight US States, Ontario and Quebec, will see unlimited water diversions from the Great Lakes and pose a threat to Canadian sovereignty over these shared waters.

The Council of Canadians has launched a national campaign calling on the Federal government to stop water diversions from the Great Lakes and protect Canada’s interests. To date, thousands of concerned Canadians have attended consultations and written letters to the Prime Minister on this issue.

A Parliamentary committee is currently reviewing the environmental and international relations implications of the Annex, and is expected to release its report on November 26, 2004.

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