P.A. challenged to go blue
Prince Albert came close to declaring itself a ‘blue’ community, but couldn’t agree on one major sticking point.
Nancy Carswell, with the P.A. chapter of the Council of Canadians, challenged city council Monday night to take three actions to protect water: recognize water as a human right, promote publically owned and financed water, and ban the sale of bottled water at city run events.
Carswell praised the city for being positive stewards of water, including its response during last year’s Husky Oil spill. She acknowledged the ban could be seen as an obstacle, but believed it instead an opportunity.
“Banning bottled water in public facilities and at municipal events is a big opportunity to educate,” she said. “If you invest in water fountains and refillable stations, you are teaching all citizens that water is a human right and not a commodity.”