Dear activists,
October 10, 2006
Please see the article "Environmental group calls for national water standards" from CBC.ca (Friday, October 6, 2006 ) which reports, "Canada needs national standards on drinking water because testing and treatment regulations vary greatly across the country and Canadians are at risk of developing waterborne illness, says a new report by an environmental group."
The article also notes, "The report, released Friday, says most provincial regulations on water testing and treatment are nowhere near strong enough and the federal government needs to focus on the safety of drinking water to ensure more Canadians do not become sick."
The Sierra Legal Defence Fund report grades each province and territory as well as the federal government. "While the report gave Ontario a top mark of A-, it gave New Brunswick a low mark of D and assigned the federal government a failing grade of F...In First Nations communities, the state of drinking water is a national disgrace, the report said."
The PDF of the "Waterproof 2: Canada's Drinking Water Report Card" can be found on their website.
The Council of Canadians is calling on the federal government to implement a national water policy. For years the Council has been calling on the federal government to undertake immediate measures in this area, including federal legislation to establish national safe drinking water standards.
For the Council of Canadians PDF document "Canada Needs A National Water Policy" please visit our website.
We believe it is time for the federal government to develop a National Water Policy that affirms the right to water and protects Canadian water from commodification, diversion, bulk exports and privatization.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has failed to clarify his government's position on bulk water exports, and the Conservative Party platform in this past election did nothing to address growing concerns about the stability and quality of Canada's water supply.
Contact Stephen Harper and let him know that Canada needs a National Water Policy to address the following:
- The free market doesn't guarantee access to water.
- Bulk exports could open the floodgates to trade challenges.
- Canada's water supply is limited.
- Public water is safer, cleaner and more affordable.
- Water is essential for people and nature.
Contact information for Stephen Harper:
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
Fax: 613-941-6900
Mail: Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
