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HSAA backs 'Our Water Is Not For Sale' campaign

Citizens are being urged to sign an open letter to Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner.

Edmonton (30 July 2010) - The Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA/NUPGE) is supporting Our Water Is Not For Sale, a growing network of organizations and individuals concerned about plans by the province's Conservative to move to a province-wide deregulated market system of water allocation.

 Visit Our Water Is Not For Sale Website

"Alberta’s water should be protected for human needs, communities and the ecosystems on which our survival depends," the union says.

It is urging its members to visit the campaign website at the address below. The site is asking citizens to sign an online letter to Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner.

"We recognize the current water allocation system is inadequate to address the increasing water crisis in the province, and that fundamental changes are required," the letter says. "However, moving towards a market-based system for allocation will make the current situation worse, not better."

The letter calls on the Conservative government to:

  • Develop a provincial water allocation system that focuses on the public interest by prioritizing ecosystem health, basic human needs, and treaty and First Nation rights, rather than a market-based system that allocates access to water based on the ability to pay.
  • Explore and present to First Nations and residents in Alberta a range of policy options for how Alberta’s out-of-date water allocation system could best be updated to meet current challenges and expected future pressures.
  • Conduct broad and meaningful consultations with the public, impacted groups, and First Nations on the full range of options before making changes to the Water Act.

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:
• Our Water Is Not For Sale - Say NO to Water Markets
• Sign Open Letter to Environment Minister Rob Renner
• Water Not for Sale - YouTube Video
• Print and Display Our Water Is Not For Sale Poster