Debating the water trade

Where does water fit into our economic system? A public good or a tradable commodity? This is what Gaetan Breton, UQÀM accounting prof and author, wants to address in his new book Tu me pompes l’eau: halte à la privatisation, launched Monday at Bistro Quartier Latin.
Breton feels that the conventional wisdom today, which has private enterprise out-distancing public in management efficiency, is totally false, especially when applied to traditionally public domains, like water.

“In England, France, Brazil, where water has been privatized, the effect has been catastrophic,” he says, “but the goals of government are all the same: one, to make cash, and two, to increase competition. But if water gets privatized, who’s to say that we won’t have traded a public monopoly for a private monopoly?”

Breton also warns that any attempt at privatizing water will result in the average person getting screwed—which is what happened wherever privatization went through. “Is there one case where the cost of water went down after privatization?” he asks. “There is no evidence that private management is more efficient, despite theories that say the contrary.”

He also fears that water will become a potential source of conflict. “The Americans are pressuring Canada to export water. The Colorado River doesn’t even empty into the ocean anymore because so much of it has been diverted for irrigation. Water is becoming a serious issue, and those who have the means will try to expropriate it, while those who don’t will continue to suffer.” :

—Patrick Lejtenyi