Jul 06 2008
Quebec plans water royalty measure
The government of the province of Quebec appears to be rolling ahead with an idea dating back at least three decades but never taken seriously until recently: Collecting royalties from major consumers of the province’s water.
The bill starts with the premise, shared by most other regional governments in North America, that the water in the province is a common resource and trust and owned by the people of the province.
But Bill 92 would also impose the requirement that large users of water (anyone using more than 75,000 liters per day) apply for a permit for use; the permit would expire after 10 years, but could be re-applied for.
Any costs relating to water use would be paid by the water user.
The law would apply to bottlers of spring or other water.
Revenues would go into the province’s recently created Green Fund.
Reference – See the Montreal (QB) Gazette, June 6.
