The Ottawa Xpress weekly alternative newspaper reports today that, “From Nov. 27 to 29, water champions from across the country will be gathering in Ottawa for the Blue Summit, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the first Water Watch conference.”
“The event is co-hosted by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Council of Canadians, who helped form the first Water Watch committees along with other community members.”
Meera Karunananthan, national water campaigner for the Council of Canadians, says, “Most of our groups were involved in fighting private-public partnerships at the time and many were successful. I think today we’re increasingly aware that we are dealing with a water crisis in Canada …so we’ve really expanded our movement.”
Karunananthan adds, “It’s an opportunity for us to get together and talk about alternative models that prioritize people and the environment.”
Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, notes, “At any given time there are up to 100 boil-water advisories on First Nations reserves across the country. That’s one of the reasons we need to shine a light within the borders of Canada.”
The article concludes, “Moist hopes that the conference will open up a dialogue about water issues in an international context as well. Speakers include Al-Hassan Adam, co-ordinator of the Africa Water Network.”
PARTY
“A full weekend of events kicks off with a party on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel, featuring Chris Rouse, Joni NehRita and a Prince tribute band (!).”
RALLY
“With the Copenhagen climate talks coming up in December, it’s also important to make the link between climate change and water shortages. A rally at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Parliament Hill will demand that any climate deals include strong legislative safeguards for water.”
For more information about the Blue Summit, please go to www.canadians.org/bluesummit.
The full Ottawa XPress article is at http://www.ottawaxpress.ca/news/news.aspx?iIDArticle=18785.
