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The National Union of Public and General Employees joins the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Federation of Students and the Sierra Youth Coalition in drawing attention to the environmental and social justice impact of corporate water.
Ottawa (22 Feb. 2010) - Across Canada and around the world, people are taking a stand in support of public water and against the privatization of water. The bottled water industry finds itself under a public microscope as more and more people question:
- The safety of bottled water.
- The weak bottled water industry regulatory standards and practices.
- The growing corporate control of water.
- The use of misleading bottled water marketing schemes.
- The heavy social and ecological toll of for-profit water around the world.
In Canada, there are over 70 municipalities, six school boards and three campuses that have successfully phased out the provision and sale of bottled water in their sectors. Some of Canada's largest unions also refuse to use bottled water at their conferences and conventions.
Bottled Water Free Day is being held for the first time on March 11. Canadians are being urged to stand up and speak out, ditch the bottle and turn on the tap.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is pleased to join with other organizations, including the Polaris Institute, the Canadian Federation of Students and the Sierra Youth Coalition, to endorse the day and to draw attention to the environmental and social justice impact of corporate water.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More information:
- Take the Pledge - Bottled Water Free Day
- Post a Bottled Water Free Day poster in your office space: English
- Divert people away from the vending machines by directing them to the nearest water fountain with the Drinking Fountain Posters