Water wars plague Canadians

Special to The Brock PressVandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental thinker and activist who has written extensively on global water issues. In her 2002 book Water Wars: Privatization, Pollution, and Profit, Shiva examines the international water trade and warns readers about the serious consequences of water privatization.
"The globalized economy is shifting the definition of water from common property to private good, to be extracted and traded freely," said Shiva.
The message she put forward in 2002 is even more relevant today as this vital natural resource is becoming increasingly scarce and commodified.
In terms of the global water situation, it is estimated that 1.5 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and another four billion lack adequate sanitation services. Two million people, mostly children, die yearly from water-borne bacteria such as diarrhea and cholera.
According to the Council of Canadians (COC), Canada's largest citizens' organization, "global water corporations, international financial institutions, trade agreements, governments and even parts of the United Nations have been promoting privatization and commodification of water as a way to deal with this crisis".
COC, along with many other organizations and concerned citizens, understand that privatizing water resources is not the solution and has resulted in rising water rates, unequal distribution, unequal access, poor water quality and massive corporate profits.
Maude Barlow, chairperson of COC, global water activist and chair of the Blue Planet Project, believes that water should be a basic human right and no one has the right to appropriate it for profit.
The Blue Planet Project is a global initiative working with partners around the world to achieve water justice. Water justice is based on the right to water and on the principles that water is a public trust and part of the global commons.
According to the COC Autumn 2006 publication of Canadian Perspectives, "in 2002, the United Nations Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights declared water a human right. Known as General Comment 15, the declaration stated that water is not a tradable good but a human right. The declaration prompted activists to pressure national governments to make similar enforceable declarations". Interestingly enough, Canada is the only country in the world that voted against the right to water at the United Nations (UN) in 2002. Since then, Canada has been asked to review its stand on this issue and reconsider its opposition to the UN resolution.
Barlow, among many others, is calling on the Canadian government to form a new national water policy. A revised plan that would include national clean drinking water standards, committed federal financial support for municipalities and First Nations communities, and a full ban on bulk water exports.
Currently the limited water resources we have are being wasted. To survive, a human being needs 2.4 litres of water per day. The average Canadian uses 343 litres of water every single day. It is imperative that we implement strategies that can best help protect a vital natural resource that is presently being wasted, polluted and commodified.
Some actions you can take include: Voicing your concerns to your Member of Parliament, monitor water issues in your community and educate others about the dangers of privatization and bulk exports, and joining a local chapter of an organization that is devoted to water issues.

World Water Day 2007
March 22, 2007
Academic South 217
2-6 p.m.
Film screening: The National Film Board of Canada's CITIZENshift has produced a DVD of documentaries on water issues.
Speakers: Frank Fohr, Niagara Region chapter-Council of Canadians
Other speakers TBA
For more information about this event or on the World Water Day event in Welland.
Contact OPIRG-Brock: (905) 688-5550, ext. 3499, www.opirgbrock.org or e-mail: opirgbu@brocku.ca.