Great Lakes plan dilutes sovereignty, critics say

[CHIMO]

A proposal to significantly limit water diversions from the Great Lakes falls far short of protecting Canada's precious fresh water and excludes aboriginal rights to the watershed, critics said today.

The tentative deal, to be released Thursday by the Ontario government and obtained in advance by The Canadian Press, imposes limits on diversion projects in Ontario, Quebec and seven of the eight Great Lakes states, but fails to protect Canada's sovereignty over the basin.

Environmental lawyer Steven Shrybman said the proposals allow U.S. states to unilaterally license water diversion without the consent of the provinces or Ottawa.

Beaucage, who represents 43 First Nations, said to expect legal action that would claim entitlement to the entire Great Lakes watershed.

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Maybe we should have a First Nations party. Everyone else seems to be selling out.