November 18, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Legislation prohibiting bulk water removal introduced

Premier Brian Tobin and Environment and Labour Minister Oliver Langdon announced government's intention to bring in legislation to prohibit bulk water removal from the province.

Premier Tobin stated that the legislation government is bringing in will impose a permanent ban on bulk water removal from the province and effectively stops the Gisborne Lake and any other bulk water export project from proceeding in this province.

The premier also stated that in recent weeks a national consensus has emerged in opposition to bulk water removal and this consensus is widely supported in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"By introducing this legislation, the province is meeting its commitment to the federal government to ban bulk water removals from the province," said Langdon. The province has been working with the federal government and other provinces towards a national accord on bulk water removal since February of this year. The accord will be on the agenda of the national environment ministers meeting in Alberta at the end of November.

Premier Tobin stated that the government's position with respect to the province's freshwater resources is quite firm and is consistent with the government's overall resource development policy. "We will continue to manage our water resources in a sustainable manner and we will ensure that all of our natural resources are utilized to the maximum benefit of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," he said.

The premier also announced the formation of a ministerial committee chaired by the Minister of Environment and Labour and comprised of the Ministers of Development and Rural Renewal, Finance, and Industry, Trade and Technology to review the appropriateness of applying royalties to bottled water. The committee will also be tasked with considering the need for royalties for other water uses. The committee will report back to government within 90 days.

"Government recognizes the importance of consulting with affected industries prior to introducing royalty measures and therefore we will await the recommendations of the committee before deciding on a royalty regime," said Tobin. "For this reason, the bill contains provisions which enable the Lieutenant-Governor in Council to establish royalties through regulation."

The Act to Provide for the Conservation, Protection, Wise Use and Management of the Water Resources of the Province, prohibits anyone from removing water from the province unless it is in containers of 30 liters or less thereby allowing for the continued development of a water bottling industry.

In addition, the act will allow water to be removed if it is to be used for the operation or on-board requirements of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft, as well as the transportation of food or transportation of an industrial product. Furthermore, upon approval of the Minister of Environment and Labour, water may be removed from the province for non-commercial purposes, including for safety or humanitarian purposes.

The act provides for fines up to $50,000 per offence for individuals and in the case of a corporation, the fine could be as high as $1 million.

Minister Langdon noted that the new legislation adds to the province's existing complement of environmental legislation and provides additional protection for the provinces water resources by prohibiting bulk water removal from the province.

Media contact:

Heidi Bonnell
Director of Communications
Premier's Office
(709) 729-3960

Sean Kelly
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Labour
(709) 729-2575

1999 11 18                       12:35 p.m.