Blocking expansion of…

Blocking expansion of natural spring water bottling is an attack on democratic institutions and evidence-based policy making. 1. The moratorium is not based on any evidence of damage to aquifers. 2. Since natural water bottling takes less than 1% of groundwater, a moratorium on only natural water bottling is not a logical target for sanctions, even if there were proven damage to aquifers, which there is not. 3. The moratorium would deny Ontario consumers convenient access to arguably the healthiest product in the supermarket, natural spring water. 4. The moratorium will gradually destroy the livelihoods of hundreds of employees and thier families. 5. The moratorium on natural water bottling expansions prevents businesses from competing, and gives a competitive advantage to makers of unhealthy sugary beverages. 6. Bottled water has overtaken unhealthy sugary beverages as a consumer choice, and has doubtless reduced family dental bills and health care system costs of treating diseases caused by sugary diets. 7. Since water bottling companies with permits for using natural sources of water are subject to very demanding testing, measuring and reporting of water quality and aquifer levels, the permit system is the gold standard for natural resource extraction, and should be expanded. 8. Companies that bottle municipal tap water, which comes from the same aquifers as natural bottled water, have a competitive advantage due to the Ontario government unfairly preventing growth of natural water bottling. 9. The current moratorium is a policy response to vocal opponents of capitalism and free markets using inaccurate and false claims, rather than policy built on a foundation of rational, measurable evidence and support for Ontario's economy. 10. A deposit of 5 to 10 cents each on single-use plastic containers for all types of beverages would not only deal directly with the perception that consumption of bottled water is harmful to the environment, but generate jobs, and increase recycling and use of reusable containers. In conclusion, sending a message that any vocal group can attack democracy, the rule of law, free markets and evidence-based policy making, using innuendo and false claims, will send a chilling message at a time when democracy and it's institutions are under attack on many fronts. I urge the Ontario government to send a strong message that it rejects ideological attacks on democracy, fairness and transparency and supports evidence-based policies and democratic values, by ending the moratorium on bottling and sale of Ontario's abundant, delicious and healthy natural spring water.