NEPAD calls for increased foreign investment in South Africa and privatization of basic public infrastructures and resources such as water.

But the privatization of water is much, much bigger than a South African issue. Global consumption of water is doubling every 20 years, more than twice the rate of human population growth. The World Bank said recently, “The wars of the next century will be about water.” Corporations are actually already suing governments to gain access to domestic water sources. The California company Sun Belt is suing the Canadian government under NAFTA because British Columbia had banned water exports several years ago. The company claims the law violates several NAFTA-based investor rights and is claiming $220 million in compensation for lost profits.

Guest:

• Maude Barlow, chairperson, Council of Canadians and co-author of 'Blue Gold: the Battle to Stop Corporate Theft of the World's Water’.

Contact:

• www.Canadians.org