Re: ERO 019-0913 To ensure…

Re: ERO 019-0913

To ensure protection of our precious water source and the environment the provincial government must take immediate action to phase out all bottled water takings, along with plastic water bottles.

The Ontario government is obligated to protect water as a human right and ensure it is there for future generations. I support the proposed extension on the moratorium of new permits for the purpose of water bottling, but I also demand that Minister Jeff Yurek must require that all Permits to Take water for bottling should undergo Environmental Assessments.

The current review process for water bottling permits is inadequate:

* FAILING to recognize water as a public trust;

* DOES NOT guarantee Indigenous consent consistent with UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People);

* FAILS to recognize the increasing threat of climate change;

* INADEQUATELY assesses the cumulative impact of water taking on groundwater;

* IGNORES the environmental impact of discarded plastic bottles; and

* IGNORES the health risks of microplastics in drinking water

This Environmental Registry of Ontario process limits public participation to a window of online consultation. This prevents face-to-face discussions among the public and with their political representatives on an important issue of public concern.

PUBLIC DEBATE IS URGENTLY NEEDED ON THE FUTURE OF WATER BOTTLING IN ONTARIO.

In addition to enacting this proposed moratorium, I call on the Ontario government to suspend the current review process and to require environmental assessments of all applications to renew permits for water bottling.