Thorold, Ontario is now a blue community. The city of about 18,000 people is located on the Niagara Escarpment.
Thorold Niagara News reports, “On (July 2), Robin Hamlyn made the four-plus hour trek from her hometown (of Kingston) to make a presentation to Thorold city council, which voted unanimously in support of becoming a blue community.”
“The Blue Community Project (is) a joint initiative of the Council of Canadians and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The initiative states that, because water is central to human activity, it must be governed by principles that allow for reasonable use, equal distribution and responsible treatment in order to preserve it for nature and future generations.”
“In order to become a blue community, councils are required to adopt a ‘water commons framework’ by taking three actions – recognizing water as a human right, promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and waste water services, and banning the sale of bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events.”
“Prior to hearing Hamlyn’s presentation, Thorold had already implemented two of the three initiatives on its own. By adopting the framework, the final – albeit significant – action of considering water as a human right, is now in effect.”
The article adds, “To learn more about the Blue Communities Project or take the ‘tap water pledge’, visit www.canadians.org/bluecommunities.”
