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We need to talk about water in this federal election

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
Written by editor
We need to talk about water in this federal election r1 ... Dear Friend,

There is no national strategy in Canada to address urgent water issues. Nor is there much federal leadership to protect our water resources from becoming polluted or privatized.

This federal election, we must work together to keep water front and centre in policy debates and promises.

Dozens of First Nations still have Drinking Water Advisories, despite the federal government’s promise to resolve them all by the spring of 2021. This reality continues colonial systems that deprive Indigenous communities of local control over governance, projects, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, across the country, municipal water infrastructure suffers from decades of insufficient investment and maintenance. Without federal support, municipalities are under pressure to privatize their water systems through costly and undemocratic public-private partnerships.

We also need to make sure that the new Canada Water Agency (CWA) has strong regulatory powers to achieve its mandate to protect our water. While industry players have been busy lobbying decision-makers to prevent this new agency from having those enforcement powers, we must ensure that it can fulfill its potential to protect the human right to water. We must also continue the push to protect our lakes, rivers, and oceans from radioactive nuclear waste. The federal government has let the nuclear industry manage its own waste for years, but we know that industry can’t safely regulate itself. We need strong, transparent, and effective federal oversight to protect future generations.

As you speak to local candidates during the election, here are some key questions you can ask them about water:
  1. How will you ensure that First Nations finally get the resources and power they need to provide clean drinking water on reserves?
  2. Will you champion direct federal funding for municipalities to invest in much-needed water and wastewater infrastructure projects?
  3. Do you support giving the Canada Water Agency a strong regulatory mandate?
  4. Who do you think should decide how highly radioactive nuclear waste is managed and disposed of?
Read more of our analysis about these water issues here. Read more To see all of our key questions for candidates – on climate, Indigenous rights, long-term care, Big Pharma, and electoral reform – check out our pamphlet. You can print it and keep it by your door for when candidates come knocking.

Thanks for everything you do,

Mark Calzavara
Water Campaigner, The Council of Canadians Help support our work! Our team is busy creating online resources with key questions for candidates and background to support this work. We’ll also lend a hand in writing letters to editors, and host calls and conversations with our Chapters and members to make sure they have what they need. r71 | Add us to your address book Facebook Twitter Instagram Website Copyright © 2021 Council of Canadians, All rights reserved.
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