Local MP, institute butt heads on water policy

As battle drums for a federal election in Canada roll louder and louder, Lake St. Louis Liberal MP and water critic Francis Scarpaleggia had some harsh words about a study recently released by a local think-tank suggesting the province of Quebec should begin to export some of its freshwater.

“The (Montreal Economic Institute)’s report is an example of Conservatives using a right-wing think tank to move forward a policy agenda that would benefit narrow economic interests at the expense of Canadians’ broader environmental and economic well-being,” Scarpaleggia said.

The institute's report, which came out last Wednesday and was authored by Marcel Boyer, both a chief economist of the MEI and a professor at Université de Montréal, estimated even a 10 per cent exportation of freshwater at an estimated cost of 65 cents per cubic metre would yield Quebec revenues of $65 million in gross annual income. "Even if only 10 per cent of this amount is collected in royalties," the study reads, "and even if the technological, economic and environmental difficulties to be overcome are substantial, the amounts involved are considerable."

The report's recommendation runs contrary to the bulk of a private member's bill Scarpaleggia introduced last April. Among other provisions, the bill calls for protection of Canada's freshwater from exportation, and a federal junior ministry for water.

The M.E.I. took issue with Scarpaleggia's characterization of the organization with "ties to the Conservative Party."

"There are people from every political leaning on our administration council," said the Institute's spokesperson André Valiquette. "It's completely crazy," he added, to state the organization is tied to the Conservative Party.

"It's a very right-wing organization," Scarpaleggia charged back. He said any organization that would advocate the export of water would have to be classified as such. "All the other, middle of the road organizations are against it," he said.

Scarpaleggia added the Montreal Economic Institute was founded by former Conservative Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier.

He also thought the timing of the release, which coincides with the increasing certitude there will be an election announced this week, was a little suspicious.