Dear Editor:
An open letter to Environment Minister Mary Polak:
The granting of water removal rights to Nestle is not an issue just about a “dry” year here in B.C. — it is about private companies controlling water with the assistance of your B.C. government.
The fees collected and access rights given to this Swiss corporation are ridiculous.
Private companies control access to water and treat water as a commodity (even from community lines and taps) around the world to the detriment of people, especially in the Third World.
The growth of plastic bottle water sales is an environmental scourge.
Please reconsider your government’s granting of contractual water removal rights to private companies for private profits.
Access to clean water is a fundamental human right — not a commodity for corporations. Please make a responsible decision for the people of the province.
Bill Barrie
North Vancouver
Editor’s note: On July 15 global consumer watchdog group SumOfUs.org delivered a petition, signed by more than 218,000 people since launching in February, to Polak’s constituency office, demanding an immediate review of corporate water rates and the protection of Canada’s water supply by setting “fair rates” on groundwater extraction.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
