CBC's "The Current" on Radio1 had an interesting debate today about whether Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) included water as a good or not. The debate is because chapter 11 is worded vaguely, at a time when water conservation was not a forefront topic at all.
According to some that weighed in, the growing demand for water in North America means that it can therefore be considered a good. This means going down a one-way street, because once considered a good and distribution has begun, it is a violation of NAFTA to stop. Basically, once the taps are turned on, it is very difficult to turn them off!
Others on the show said that it can still be argued that water is not a good, but a necessity, and NAFTA stipulates that trade does not have to occur if it is hurting the exporting country. It is still reasonable that if we start selling water, we can stop when we like.
To read chapter 11 and make up your own mind on the subject, go here!
No comments:
Post a Comment