Don't Sell Alberta's Water!
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: Alberta, Canada Environment Minister Rob Renner
According to Peter Brabeck, chairman of Nestle, the corporation is in talks with the Alberta government to consider a water exchange. Brabeck argues that if industries and individuals were more aware of the true cost of treating and transporting water, and if the price rose or fell according to market forces, people would have an incentive to use water more efficiently.
Water has historically been a public good. Putting this precious resource in the hands of private enterprise not only increases corporate profits and burdens private citizens, but does less to ensure that this resource remains unspoiled and protected. The government should be talking to Alberta residents about water, not the heads of multinational corporations with special interests.
Sign this petition to encourage Alberta's Environment Minister Rob Renner to not open up water for sale in Alberta!
Dear Rob Renner,
I am writing out of concern regarding the recent Report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy, which advocates the creation of a water exchange in Alberta. According to recent media reports, Nestle chairman Peter Brabeck has been "actively dealing with the government of Alberta" and heavily promoting this exchange. Brabeck argues that if the price of water rose or fell according to market forces, people would have an incentive to use this precious resource more efficiently.
Beyond the fact that it is completely inappropriate that a powerful corporation with obvious interests to meet with government officials on this matter without involving ordinary citizens, there is already a strong movement towards water conservation in Alberta. Privatizing this essential resource would not ensure that it was prioritized benefit individual and ecological needs; rather, it would allow the highest corporate or industry bidder to capture the prize. Lastly, with data on the effects of climate change still coming in, it is unwise to make such a drastic economic change right now.
Stay on the right side of history, and do not open up water for sale in Alberta!
Thank you for your time.
