PLEDGE FOR TEACHERS/FORMER TEACHERS
Given that water is a human right and a public resource that must not be turned into a commodity and distributed according to one’s ability to pay.
Given that experiences with privatization of water services around the world have deprived communities, and particularly lower income households from exercising their right to clean safe drinking water and sanitation.
Given that privatization has resulted in a loss of public accountability and deprived communities from exercising their right to participate in decisions about community water resources.
Given that the privatization of water services in Chile has prevented communities from maintaining public control over water services and resources, lowered environmental and labour standards and resulted in rate hikes and cut-offs.
Given that the private water investments are a threat to efforts being made by Chilean social justice, environmental and labour groups to have water recognized as a human right within the Chilean constitution,
I call on the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, as a teacher/former teacher, to defend the right to public water services by divesting from Chile’s water markets.
