| This dissertation examines the economic, legal and environmental factors that affect Canadian bulk water export. The dissertation takes an interdisciplinary approach. Dissertation objectives are accomplished through the use of six methods. (1) historical analysis, (2) scenario planning, (3) literature analysis, (4) examples, (5) key informant interviews, and (6) quantitative data analysis.; After a background examination, three primary areas are focused on: The Western Canadian legal development of water supply management in relation to potential affects on water export, the legal and environmental factors related to water export, and the business case for water export. A scenario planning process is developed in the dissertation and produces five scenarios where water exports could occur.; The Prior Allocation system of water law, used in Western Canada, has prevented the practical use of water right transfers, which inhibit export proponents from acquiring water rights in areas that are fully allocated. In the past, Canadian governments have changed water law to benefit natural resource development because of economic reasons. Changes to the law since the 1980s have occurred because of a need to manage an increasingly scare resource.; Legal factors that affect water exports involve international trade law obligations, increasing incorporation of market based mechanisms into water resource legislation, international law's record in resolving water resource conflicts between Canada and the United States, and constitutional conflicts between the federal and provincial governments regarding who regulates water exports.; If water export proposals met the five criteria presented in Section 8.3.4 of this dissertation, they could obtain approval and provide benefits to Canada and local exporting communities without incurring unacceptable environmental or socio-economic impacts. However, if Canadian water is priced at its full export value, demand from markets will be low in the current environment. Small scale export proposals are more likely to produce a return on capital invested, mitigate potential environmental damage and offer financial benefits to resource owners than large scale proposals. Uncertain factors, such as the impact of climate change on water resources and changing demographics will play a role in the future debate of water exports. The debate is likely to continue to be impassioned because of water's necessity in supporting ecosystems, its lack of substitutes and the desire to profit from water management problems in other countries. |
