(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands, issued the following statement on World Water Day:
“While Canada possesses 7% of the world’s renewable freshwater, it is troubling that we continue to see drinking water advisories issued in our cities and communities. I am especially concerned that First Nations lack basic infrastructure to ensure they have safe drinking water. We need to work with First Nation leaders to find long-term solutions.
“The Green Party is committed to implementing a National Water Policy, to ensure that all Canadians, no matter where they live, have clean freshwater supplies. It is time for the federal government to have enforceable standards for safe drinking water - not just guidelines.”
Andrew Park, the Green Party’s Environment Critic and candidate for Winnipeg South Centre added:
“Fresh water is one of the necessities of life, and yet paradoxically it is everywhere under threat – from overuse, from climate change, from nutrient enrichment, and from industrial pollution.
“As a freshwater superpower, Canada needs to have a National Water Policy. As a planet, we need to acknowledge that an adequate supply of pure freshwater is a human right.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca