A delegation of Indigenous, social justice, and labour groups from Canada are visiting Geneva from April 22-24 to speak to governments about the human right to water in Canada. The delegation takes place at a critical moment, as Canada will be up for its Universal Periodic Review on April 26, which will assess Canada’s record on human rights.
The delegation will include:
- Grand Chief David Harper of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, an organization representing the 30 First Nation communities and 65,000 First Nation citizens in northern Manitoba – a Canadian province deeply affected by the First Nations drinking water crisis.
- Chief Garrison Settee of the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Manitoba, and Executive Member of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, whose community has been strongly affected by water quality concerns and by regulation of water levels related to energy production and flood control.
- Michael Anderson, Research Director, Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.
- Professor Lynda Collins, Co-Chair, Centre for Environmental Law & Global Sustainability at the University of Ottawa.
- Gregory Taylor from the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Canada’s largest public service union representing over 627,000 members across the country.
- Meera Karunananthan from the Blue Planet Project of the Council of Canadians, Canada’s largest social justice advocacy organization with members and chapters in communities throughout the country.
The delegates are available for interviews while in Geneva, and upon their return.
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