‘Canada’s water is not for trade’: Local activists raise awareness for World Water Day

A World Water Day event at London City Hall saw some advocates saying that Canadian water may be caught in the cross fire of the Canada/US trade war.

Saturday is world water day, and local activists were out early trying to raise awareness.

“We say Canada’s water is not for trade. It is not for the bargaining table. It belongs on the Canadian water table where nature put it,” said Chair of the Blue Community Committee Lynn Brown.

The Blue Community Committee says Canada’s water security is under threat due to President Donald Trump.

London is recognized as a “blue community,” so the group gathered outside city hall, knowing local politicians recognize the importance of having access to water.

The designation of a blue community comes from the Council of Canadians, and it signifies a municipality’s commitment to recognizing water and sanitation as human rights and promoting publicly financed water services.

London’s Blue Community Committee is hoping raising awareness amongst residents will encourage them to advocate against water being used in tariff bargaining.

“I think Canadians feel deeply about water in the past. We have fought attempts from the south to have water be part of trade agreements. And it appears, given the threats coming from President Trump lately, we need to rally Canadians again to be prepared to defend water. We don’t want it to be a bargaining chip,” said Brown.