Metro Vancouver remains under Stage 3 water restrictions, but a small U.S. pene-exclave that has access to the same water is not under any restrictions.
Point Roberts receives water from Canada under a 50-year agreement that was signed in 1987.
The contract between the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) and Point Roberts Water District provides the community with 700,000 imperial gallons a day for about $800,000 annually.
It is the same rate that is charged to Canadians, but the difference is that the contract is in Canadian dollars.
“If you could go back in time, you’d shake your head at the contract that was signed, because you need to be able to revisit these things regularly,” Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West said.
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“From where I sit, we should be taking care of our residents. I’m not really interested in providing our water to the U.S. We have to ensure we’re looking after the people who are paying the bills in our region, full stop.”
Metro Vancouver says water usage in Point Roberts this May was .07 per cent of daily usage for the region, noting that “as Point Roberts is not a member of the GVWD, it is not subject to the restrictions outlined in Metro Vancouver’s drinking water conservation plan.”
Point Roberts has suffered since U.S. President Donald Trump launched a trade war with Canada.
The community of about 1,100 people is located just south of Tsawwassen, however, it relies on British Columbia for much of its commerce.
The lack of Canadian visitors has forced long-term businesses to close and has offered special exchange rates to lure shoppers across the border.
This article lost me after the second paragraph. A 50 year agreement signed in ’87. So this is a nothing story until at least 2037. If it is a legal contract then nobody should have anything to say about it. Blame the politicians in place back then. Live up to the obligations as written. Too many people want to “re-negotiate” deals like professional athletes.
If the people in point Roberts were properly notified of the water shortage I would like to think they would reduce their usage willingly.
Ah, is your stupidity finally coming to light?
Participating in the restrictions may only be symbolic….but….would be the honourable thing to do!
Might want to keep in mind that 70 %of PointRoberts homes are owned by Canadians , about 1500 properties. Brian calder.
You’re posting propaganda too quickly..slow down
Don’t care about water until after the revolution and our government is help accountable for destroying Canada…and suck my global sack global propaganda network!!
F them then.
Restrict water supply and expected usage to what we have to use.
Did we loose all the good reporters when everything got bought out by the corporation ? Your logic is flawed point Roberts has between 1200 to 1300 people were Surrey has around 700,000.00 people point Roberts won’t go and destroy our reserves of water for a good 50 years or more 700,000 can make a serious dent in our water supply. It’s called common sense reporters, please for the love of God use it.
I am a Canadian and I want you to know we pay for water every month and we have a limit of how much we can use and if we go over we pay extra for the extra we are metered for water we don’t get it for free! Check your facts!
Well in a few years when its up for renewal. Keep the rate the same as we pay but in american money and they subject to the same usage as us
Shouldn’t be restrictions anyway. Another mismanaged scam. Like we don’t pay enough in the wettest part on Canada
shut it off