Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow spoke at York University in Toronto yesterday.
As noted by York University, “On Sept. 29, Maude Barlow, the national chairperson of the Council of Canadians, will present a special lecture marking the launch of ‘Our Blue Future’, a series of events that focus on water. ‘Our Blue Future’ featuring Maude Barlow, is sponsored by the President’s Sustainability Council, the Office of the Vice President Finance & Administration, FES [the Faculty of Environmental Studies], the Executive Learning Centre at the Schulich School of Business, the Underground Campus Kitchen, York University Food Services, and the York Federation of Students.”
Her visit to York University helped to mark a major milestone for the university.
York University has highlighted that, “Effective September 1st, 2015 non-carbonated, unflavoured, single-use bottled water will no longer be sold on York’s campuses. This message brings to fruition the joint commitment made in April 2012, between the York Federation of Students (YFS) and President Mamdouh Shoukri, to eliminate the sale of bottled water and to improve access to safe, clean drinking water on the University’s campuses. This initiative is a demonstration of York’s commitment to social justice and social responsibility, and it also advances the resolution of the United Nations in recognizing the human right to clean water as essential to life.”
The university adds, “To enhance access to clean, free drinking water, the YFS and York has ensured the following: 70 water refill stations, with more to come, have been installed across the Keele and Glendon campuses; 200 plus water fountains on both campuses are serviced daily; and over 12,000 refillable bottles have been distributed annually for the past three years and will happen again this year.”
Barlow also took part in a panel discussion with FES students and faculty about the films ‘Tapped’ and ‘The Story of Bottled Water’, the university’s position on bottled water, and the right to water.
In June 2014, Barlow received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from York University. To read her speech from that occasion, please click here.
For information on the Council of Canadians blue community project campaign, please click here.
Photo: Barlow with Noël Sturgeon, the Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University
