Bottled Water

Water is the most abundant natural resource of them all. Clean safe drinking water, on the other hand is more scarce than most Canadians realize.

Even in Canada we are beginning to notice that our fresh water supply is in decline.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to participate in the Ontario Network on Bottled Water and Public Water discussions that took place in Toronto. I was especially encouraged to know that there are now 33 municipalities in 7 provinces that have restricted the sale of bottled water.

Burlington may become the 34th. On April 14th, councillors will be voting on this issue. There is every indication that they will vote to ban the sale of bottled water at all municipal facilities.

However, the bottled water companies are becoming much more aggressive about defending their right to commodify water. Nestle has an employee, John B Callinor Jr, whose primary function seems to be to sway public officials from restricting bottled water sales. He is often quoted in community newspapers whenever municipalities are considering a ban on bottled water.

This tells me that the Canadian people are winning in the battle to preserve our water, and the right to have clean safe drinking water at the mere turn of the tap.

We are nearing the tipping point. The University of Winnipeg recently became the first University to ban bottled water. Several other Universities are expected to quickly follow suit.

It won't be long before provincial and federal governments start taking a serious look at the bottled water issue.

Amy