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Water

The Council of Canadians fights to protect Canada’s freshwater sources from pollution, privatization, and government neglect. Our campaign work focuses on recognizing water as part of a shared commons and a human right.

Canada has no national strategy to address urgent water issues, leaving it up to communities to defend local waters. We support these Public Water Champions nationwide, mobilizing our tens of thousands of supporters and volunteer chapters. We encourage community empowerment and involvement through our “Blue Communities Project.” We are pushing the Federal government to create a strong and independent Canada Water Agency, a comprehensive National Water Policy, and to end Drinking Water Advisories in First Nations. We are opposing Big Water and its attempts to commodify water.

Water is vital to people’s health and livelihoods. Join us in taking action to protect water!

Tailings Pond

Urgent Action is the only action in response to the Imperial Oil Toxic Leak

We at the Council were horrified to learn of the Imperial Oil tailings leak at the company’s Kearl facility that ...
Maude Barlow and John Cartwright present Blue Communities Certificates in Toronto

Two new colleges turn Blue! Maude Barlow presents Regis College and the University of St. Michael’s College with Blue Communities certificates

The University of St. Michael’s College and Regis College of the University of Toronto are now formally recognized as Blue ...
Blue Community Certificate presentation Mother Teresa Secondary School

Mother Teresa Secondary School becomes 100th Blue Community on World Water Day

London, ON – Today, on World Water Day, Mother Teresa Secondary School became the 100th community to be awarded the ...
No Water To Waste: Boycott Bottled Water

No Water To Waste: Boycott Bottled Water

Something as essential as water should never be sold for profit — but that’s exactly what’s happening in Canada right ...
Simcoe Gravel mining

Garbage dumps and gravel pits: Fight to protect Simcoe County water has waged for decades

It’s been more than a decade since Site 41 in Simcoe County in southern Ontario became a flashpoint in the ...
Water is not for sale

Increased climate impacts require action, not privatization

The combined impact of climate-related stress on natural water infrastructure and decades of neoliberal privatization of built water infrastructure has ...
Webinar: Tailings and a Just Transition

(Recording) Tailings and a Just Transition

Alberta’s tailings ponds provoked international outcry in 2008 when images were released of ducks struggling to survive in the toxic ...
Webinar: Indigenous Rights, Knowledge, and Tailings

(Recording) Indigenous Rights, Knowledge, and Tailings

Alberta’s tailings ponds provoked international outcry in 2008 when images were released of ducks struggling to survive in the toxic ...