What is the difference between water export and bulk water removal? Why does the Government of Canada use the term “bulk water removal”?
Bulk water removal broadly refers to large-scale removals of water by man-made diversion, such as canals, tanker ships or trucks, or pipelines. It is not necessarily exported out of the province or country, but is “exported” from its basin of origin. Also, it does not include small-scale water removal, such as water in small portable containers. Water export refers to taking water and shipping it to other countries for profit whether in bottles, by tanker or pipeline, or by diverting rivers and building canals. The Government of Canada uses the phrase “bulk water removal” because we are taking a comprehensive approach to guarantee the security of our freshwater resources. The removal and transfer of water in bulk from its natural drainage basin or watershed can result in similar ecological, social, and economic impacts whether the water is destined for foreign markets, or for other destinations within Canada. The Government of Canada’s strategy prevents the bulk removal of water from m
