Under the title Protecting Canada’s Future, Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s throne speech made an explicit promise to protect Canada’s largest asset—water.

“To ensure protection of our vital resources, our Government will bring in legislation to ban all bulk water transfers or exports from Canadian freshwater basins,” the speech, delivered by Governor General Michaí«lle Jean in the House of Commons on November 19, said.

Speaking today (November 20) in the Commons, Harper reiterated that his government would introduce legislation to effect a such a ban.

To Council of Canadians national chair Maude Barlow and other water-rights campaigners, this must feel like water drops on a parched throat.