Last year's drought on Vancouver Island has made us all aware of how vulnerable our community watersheds are as a result of climate change.
But there is an even greater threat to their preservation as safe and reliable sources of drinking water – they are privately owned.
As a result of a massive land giveaway 150 years ago to bring British Columbia into the Canadian Confederation, our drinking water sources are not publicly owned and protected.
Many of the watersheds on Vancouver Island have had water quality and contamination problems from logging, mining, landfills, and other industrial and recreational activities. Watersheds in Nanaimo, Ladysmith, Port Alberni, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River and Shawnigan Lake have all been affected.
All levels of government, as well as First Nations and land-owners, need to work together to bring community drinking watersheds on Vancouver Island under public ownership and control.
Let’s correct this 150 year-old mistake. Sign-on today and demand that our community drinking water be protected now and for future generations.
