There is strong public pressure to prevent the creation of a precedent in this matter. In Quebec, a debate over the privatization of water has begun that illustrates many of the issues involved. Each of these questions affects society as a whole. The constitution gives the federal government full or partial jurisdiction over the environment, agriculture, fisheries, the protection of navigable waters and international trade. The province has jurisdiction over water resources including both surface and subterranean water.
Surface water belongs to everyone.
As with air, the Quebec Civil Code holds that water can not be appropriated. Subterranean water, on the other hand, belongs to whomever owns the land it is under. At stake 1. The debate over the privatization of water involves the management of public water services. These services have been provided almost exclusively by municipalities since the middle of the 19th century.