LETTER

World Water Day

 

March 22 is World Water Day – a great day to take action for water in your community! There are few things more important than clean, safe water, but damaging and polluting industries, the lack of strong federal government protections, and water privatization efforts are putting many water sources at risk.

Did you know that there are many people who live without access to safe drinking water? Last fall, there were 167 drinking water advisories in 98 First Nations communities. There are routinely more than 100 water advisories in effect at any given time – some communities have lived under advisories for nearly 20 years.

Prime Minister Trudeau promised during the 2015 election campaign to end boil water advisories in First Nations communities within five years of forming government. In December, the Parliamentary Budget Officer said the Trudeau government was spending only a portion of what is needed to end drinking water advisories in these communities.

Additional funding promised in the recent federal budget still won’t be enough to ensure access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities.

You can help. This World Water Day, take action for water in your community! Whether it’s pressing the Trudeau government to keep its promise for safe water for First Nations, talking to your municipal council about becoming a Blue Community, or joining the Nestlé boycott, there are many ways you can make a difference.

Visit our website for ways you can take action on World Water Day and to find a World Water Day event in your
community.

Emma Lui,  The Council of Canadians
Ottawa