Water exports are ‘blue gold’ says think tank
Canwest News Service
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008

MONTREAL
Large-scale fresh-water exports would be a "wealth-creating idea" for Quebec and all of Canada," the Montreal Economic Institute said Wednesday.

"We should look seriously at developing our blue gold," the think-tank said in a study.

The cost of seawater desalination will ultimately determine the commercial value of fresh water and whether the heavy investment in infrastructure would be justified.

"Even if the province were to charge a royalty of just 10% on fresh water exports, that would bring in $6.5 billion a year in income, or five times the dividend now being paid by Hydro-Quebec to the government," said the institute's chief economist, Marcel Boyer.

Montreal Gazette