[All] FW: Freshwater Charter

[Susan H. Bryant]

This is interesting---maybe you want to sign.

 

Susan B.

 

 

OBBNer: A Freshwater Summit, featuring Canada’s top speakers on water
issues, was held in Muskoka earlier this month. The product of the Summit
was a communiqué that was given to M.P. Tony Clement, to deliver to G8
delegates. The communiqué included a charter of freshwater rights and
responsibilities. As Judi writes (below), the Charter is posted on a
website, and you have an opportunity to sign-on, should you agree with its
contents.

 

-C. Jones

 

Benthic Biomonitoring Scientist,

Ontario Ministry of Environment,

Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch,

Water Monitoring and Reporting Section,

Dorset Environmental Science Centre,

1026 Bellwood Acres Road,

Box 39,

Dorset, Ontario, Canada

P0A 1E0

Phone: 705 766-1724

Fax: 705 766-2254

E-mail:f.chris.jones at ontario.ca 

  _____  

From: Judi Brouse [mailto:jbrouse at muskokaheritage.org] 
Sent: June 28, 2010 8:13 AM
To: 'Judi Brouse'
Subject: Freshwater Charter

 

Good Moring:

 

Many of you are aware that we held a Freshwater Summit on June 1 and 2.
There was lots of energy created and the participants came together to make
a strong statement about the need to protect our freshwater for today and
for our children and grandchildren.

 

A proposed Canadian Charter of Freshwater Rights and Responsibilities has
been drafted. The hope of the participants of the Summit is that we will get
the federal government to adopt the charter.  The Charter has seven articles
including:

 

Article 1.    The ecosystem is the primary “user” of water.  

Article 2.    Water is a public trust, and the distribution of water for
consumptive use must be done for the equal benefit and well-being of all
Canadians.

Article 3.    All Canadians have both a right to sufficient potable water
for their basic needs and a shared responsibility to ensure that all
Canadians have ready access to potable water.

Article 4.    All Canadians have a responsibility to future generations to
conserve freshwater and to prevent or reverse the degradation of water
resources.

Article 5.    All Canadians have an ongoing responsibility to monitor the
state of freshwater using scientifically validated procedures.

Article 6.    Monitoring data must be analyzed, interpreted and reported in
a timely fashion without interference from special interest groups, or
shifting political ideologies. 

Article 7.    Traditional knowledge acquired from cultural traditions,
resource management practices and oral histories of Aboriginal peoples of
Canada must be considered an integral part of water policy development.

 

If you agree with these basic rights and responsibilities please visit our
website and sign the petition. http://www.2010freshwatersummit.org/  We are
hoping to get 50,000 signatures so that we can go back to the government and
request action. 

 

Thanks for your support. Please pass this along. 

 

 

 

Judi Brouse

Director of Watershed Programs

Muskoka Watershed Council

c/o Muskoka Heritage Foundation

9 Taylor Rd. Box 482

Bracebridge, On P1L 1T8

ph:   705-645-7393

fax:  705-645-7888

 

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