As a lifetime Ontario…

As a lifetime Ontario resident, I am tired of seeing corporate interests avoid/ignore/diminish the best interests of the Canadian public in many areas--particularly the egregious consumption of water for resale or industrial purposes. These companies sign back door deals for long term leases that fleece the area residents of their right to safe drinking water, making millions of dollars of profit that the community in question may see a pittance of at best. These organizations know there are alternative and sustainable solutions, yet they ignore these options in the interest of profiteering. This is no different than piracy, plain and simple. The people of Tiny Township do not want a renewal of this permit from CRH Canada Group that they have not been consulted about. Wells are already running dry in the area, and I find it highly unlikely that CRH Canada will do anything to address a water crisis (that they will have caused and created) if they are allowed to continue with virtually unlimited access to the local water sources. Nobody can drink money, and that goes for the CEO of CRH Canada right down to the humblest person in Tiny. What really matters here? Profits or life? This is not an isolated incident either. Where are the unbiased studies that suggest these rates and usage amounts are tenable for this community, both now and in the future? Where is the inclusion of the local populace in the process? Why is the first response to take even more water with little to no consultation at the expense of the people who actually live there? It seems clear that none of these steps have transpired because CRH Canada is aware that this permit application benefits their interests alone. Sustainability from CRH is not a handful of feel-good stories that are isolated instances. They should not be granted the right to exploit this township just because it can. It should be the corporation, not the local populous, who are forced to address and respond to these alarming concerns about this fundamental right to life. Water is a gift for all, not a commodity for some. I stand with township, as do many others. You will find that this community is not so Tiny after all. [Original Comment ID: 212413]