Delegation from Council of Canadians – Guelph Chapter to UGDSB re bottled water sales.

Dear Trustee,

As co-chair of the local chapter of  Council of Canadians, I present the following information  to support the application by Trustee Mark Bailey to remove bottled water from the public schools. Many of you already know of the work we do to support public policy. Regarding water, we have great concern nationally, internationally and locally, with the need for good water governance in many places today. While over half the world’s population thirst for, beg for and walk miles for clean water… we have a well managed system of local public servants who do a wonderful job of keeping clean, safe water in the taps of the Upper Grand schools.

Educators are dedicated to giving our students the information they need in order to have a successful, healthy future….and one that is sustainable.  Respect for our ecosystem resources is at the base of sustainability.

The fact that each bottle represents 4-5 more in the volume of water used to get it to you….
and
the fact that 25% of each bottle represents the volume of oil energy used to get it to you…
and
the volume of plastic that takes up more and more landfill…
and
the frequent harm to ecosystems by all this watershed displacement…

Then, as educators…. it is important to see beyond the financial gain of selling these bottles in place of respectfully using our publicly maintained safe supply.

This bottled water dilemma for schools and governments is being addressed in many other communities of our country. We recognize that there have been financial gains from the sale of bottled water in our schools. This decision was made years ago without current knowledge.  But now we have to make other choices. We will survive this century only if ethics are considered in our decision-making. Clinging to this source of funding for our schools is no longer an ethical choice when the total picture is observed.

Students need to understand that adults take principled stands on important issues.
Water respect is an important stand.

We sincerely hope that you will support Mr Bailey’s petition to have bottled water removed from the Bd of Ed facilities.

Norah Chaloner       (co-chair  Council of Canadians – Guelph Chapter)