The Council of Canadians Ottawa chapter greeted the 350 people gathered last night in the Centretown United Church to hear Maude Barlow speak about her new book Boiling Point: Government Neglect, Corporate Abuse, and Canada’s Water Crisis.
The chapter distributed fact sheets, including Water in Canada is left unprotected, our Canadian Perspectives magazine, which has featured the article Canada’s Lakes and Rivers lose Legislative Protection, and encouraged people to participate in local actions, such as the blue communities initiative.
The chapter also helped to promote our Protect every lake, every river online petition that calls on the Trudeau government immediately and fully restore the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act (currently the Navigation Protection Act) to their 2012 standards until new and stronger laws are in effect.
Chapters will also be at Barlow’s upcoming ‘Boiling Point’ public forums in Guelph (September 22), Toronto (September 23), Vancouver (September 29), Winnipeg (November 24), and Chilliwack (November 21). And chapters will be at book-signing opportunities in Calgary (September 30), St. John’s (October 14), Saskatoon (October 18), Windsor (November 2), and Halifax (November 10).
In the acknowledgements section of her book, Barlow says, “Right across the country, tireless environmentalists, public sector workers and First Nations and community activists work day after day to protect water and local community rights. A special shout-out to the Council of Canadians chapters right across Canada, whose members give so freely of their time and talent.”
Barlow closes her book with these words, “Each and everyone of us has a personal responsibility to take action, to collectively confront the very power structures that have prevented the change needed to protect and honour the great water heritage of this land. Future generations have the same right to breathe clean air and drink clean water. Much rests with what we do now.”
To respond to that call to action by joining one of the 60 Council of Canadians chapters across the country, please find your local contact here.
Barlow’s latest book – the 18th she has written! – can be purchased from local independent booksellers as well as online from its publisher ECW here.
