OTTAWA - NDP Leader Jack Layton and MP Pat Martin strongly condemned the decision by the US Secretary of State Colin Powell to approve the Devils Lake diversion - a clear violation of the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty between Canada and the US.
"Whether it’s the ‘old’ or ‘new’ era in Canada-US relations, the outcome appears to be the same," said Layton. "This government just rolls over to the US on matters vital to Canadians, like the quality of their water. Mr.Graham has not been a watchdog on this file, but a lapdog."
"This is totally unacceptable," said Martin. "The US is ignoring the potential economic and environmental harm that this diversion will have on Canadians."
The NDP renewed its demand that the Canadian government refer this issue to the International Joint Commission, where the proposed diversion of dirty water from North Dakota into Canada, through Manitoba and eventually into sensitive Arctic water can be studied fully by a non-partisan, impartial organization, as specified in the Boundary Waters Treaty.
"I have personally spoken with US Senators in Washington and along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, Lloyd Axworthy, raised serious concerns about the Devils Lake diversion proposal," said Martin. "That concern seems to have dissipated within the ministry, despite the growing threat."
The NDP has questioned the Minister in the House of Commons regarding the government’s failure to challenge US initiatives that may lead to the diversion of US waters into Canada twice since the last election and have not received assurances of protection either time.
In fact, on October 22, 2003, Foreign Affairs minister Bill Graham responded to an NDP question stating his U.S. counterpart, Colin Powell, had assured him that Boundary Waters Treaty Act would not be violated.
"These assurances have proven completely empty," said Layton. "Mr. Graham must take the step he should have months ago and referred this to his old friend Herb Gray at the IJC to have some competent hands deal with this vital issue."
