MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2000

Safe Water, Sound Environment Not a Chapter in Red Book

(OTTAWA) The Council of Canadians slammed the latest Liberal "Red Book" for avoiding a clear commitment to intervene in the growing national water crisis. After failing to deal with water exports, the Liberals' plan does nothing to protect the right of every Canadian to safe, clean drinking water.

"The Chrétien government's failure to establish a national water policy in the wake of the Walkerton tragedy reveals their unwillingness to defend Canadians' health and the environment," said Maude Barlow, Volunteer Chairperson for the Council of Canadians. "Under free trade, Canada has guaranteed corporate 'rights' to water but still refuses to guarantee the rights of Canadians and their families to safe water and a sound environment. It's time for a comprehensive, binding and enforceable national water policy."

"The Liberals have failed miserably to meet the demands of Canadians to ban bulk water exports. As a result, they have left the aquatic environment as vulnerable as ever to short-sighted profiteering," said Jamie Dunn, Water Campaigner for the Council. "Their federal-provincial water accord is dead, the report of the International Joint Commission has recommended sacrificing the West's water, and Bill C-15, the federal government's last-ditch effort on this issue died when the election was called. The Liberals must commit to what Canadians and Parliament have demanded - a ban on bulk water exports."

"Only a portion of the Liberals' promised $125 million for municipalities is slated for upgrading water services; industry will get $1.1 billion to 'innovate'. While Liberals continue to neglect public services, they promise to shower the private sector with cash," said Steven Staples, Campaign Co-ordinator for the Council. "This latest Red Book promise would force communities into the waiting arms of private water corporations - and their legacy of environmental neglect, corruption and putting profits before people. The Liberal's 21St Century will be about clean water for those who can afford it."

The Council of Canadians has been leading a national campaign to protect Canadians and the environment from the effects of bulk water exports and privatisation. The Council has released the core principles it feels must form the foundation of an effective national water policy on its Web site: www.canadians.org.

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