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Niagara Falls, ON – The unanimous vote by Niagara Falls city
council to phase out the sale of bottled water in public spaces
is a new milestone in the international struggle against the
commoditization of water, says Maude Barlow, senior advisor on
water to the President of the United Nations General Assembly
and national chairperson of the Council of Canadians.
"The City of Niagara Falls should be commended for its decision
to stop selling bottled water. Water shouldn’t be treated like a
product, but as a public resource," says Barlow. "When a city
with the international profile of Niagara Falls recognizes this,
and recognizes its responsibility to improve access to public
water supplies, the days of bottled water are numbered across
Canada and around the world."
Last night, Niagara Falls city council voted to stop selling
bottled water in city-owned facilities. The Council of Canadians
is encouraged by the leadership shown by Niagara Falls City
Council, despite last-minute lobbying efforts from Nestle Waters
Canada. Local community group Park in the City played an
important role in recommending the resolution.
"This is about saying no to an irresponsible and redundant
product," says Stuart Trew, Ontario-Quebec Regional Organizer
with the Council of Canadians, who was present for the vote.
"The bottled water industry has spent millions trying to
convince Canadians to buy a product that we can get from our
taps. The environmental impacts of bottling water, and the fact
that many plastic bottles end up in the landfill, just add to
the number of reasons Niagara Falls, and other cities across
Canada, have voted to stop selling bottled water in municipal
facilities."
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