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Make a splash on World Water Day!

March 22 is World Water Day, and to mark this day, the Council of Canadians, CUPE, Oxfam Canada, the Polaris Institute, Eau Secours and other organizations across the country will take part in a national day of action to promote water as a public good – not a source of profit. Click here to see event photos.

Support our World Water Day action - Tell PM Harper 'Water is for people, not profit' visit www.RightToWater.ca and sign our letter.  

This is an excellent opportunity for water activists across the country to raise awareness of water issues, hold events and send a strong message to the federal government that it is time to protect Canada’s water.

Last year, the Council of Canadians paid federal Environment Minister John Baird a visit, delivering 45,000 petitions from Canadians demanding federal action on water. We haven’t heard back from him yet, have you?

There are many things that you can do to mark World Water Day in your community. Here are some ideas:

1. Lobby your elected representatives. Your federal Member of Parliament will be in their constituency office during the weeks of March 17- 28. Meet with your representative and share the Council of Canadians’ call for a National Water Policy featured in the Briefing Note that is in this kit. Visit www.canadians.org/water for resources and click here for talking points to bring with you.

2. Organize a film screening. Dead in the Water is a National Film Board documentary that investigates the results of the privatization of water services around the world. CUPE and the Council of Canadians have purchased multiple copies and have developed a discussion guide to help organize public screenings, house parties or community events. The discussion guide and fact sheets are available on our website and you can contact your Regional Office to find a copy of Dead in the Water to borrow. It should also be available in your local library.

3. Make a splash in the media with the tools contained in this kit, including a template public service announcement and media advisory. Our media officer, Meera Karunananathan, has provided an op-ed emphasizing the need for Canada to take action on the water crisis at home and abroad available for you to adapt and submit for publication in your local paper.

As well, we encourage you to work with teachers. The Council has developed several water themed lesson plans designed for primary and secondary students. You may download these teaching modules in the left-hand column, and meet with local teachers to encourage them to use them in their classrooms.

There are also creative ways that you can use Maude Barlow’s latest book Blue Covenant. Donate a copy to a local library or school, offer a copy as a prize at public events, or give it to your Member of Parliament. We have a limited supply of books in the national office for chapters to use. To receive your copy of Blue Covenant, please contact Jeannette by phone at 1-800-387-7177 ext. 229 or by e-mail at jmuhongayire(at)canadians.org.

Keep us in the loop

Let the Council know what kind of event you are planning so we can share success stories with other chapters across the country. We will post a list of events on our website to help with promotions. Don’t forget to take pictures of your event and send them to us. Most important of all, have fun!

Click here to download toolkit (PDF) or follow the links below:

World Water Day materials:

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updated March 20, 2008