Guest Blog by Kathie Clarke of our Hamilton chapter:
The Hamilton Chapter hosted its 5th annual public forum last night. The title and theme was Boiling Point: Canada’s Water Crisis. About 175 people from Hamilton and the surrounding communities came to hear the three excellent speakers and to engage in the follow-up discussion. Danielle Boissoneau, Anishnaabe writer and activist, lead the programme with the land acknowledgement and a moving message of the importance of water to the Indigenous people. Ward 1 Councillor Aidan Johnson provided the local context of current water issues including water extraction, opposition to bottled water, and the closing of the Sulphur Springs artesian well. The keynote speaker was Maude Barlow. She spoke about her latest book and report on water, and shared wonderful stories of her water campaign experiences such as Site 41 and her visit to Port Stanley. The audience was eager to ask lots of questions and offer comments about water issues related to trade agreements, pipelines, and government policies.
