Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to offer my comments on the regulatory changes proposed for the management of water. I would like to suggest that the changes be strengthened with the following:
1. The proposal requires bottling companies to have the support of their host municipalities for new and increasing water takings. This should also be a requirement for existing permits and renewals. The regulation should also require community support for permits under 379,000 litres per day.
2. Under the Canadian and International law and agreements, decision making about land and water uses must be shared between the Crown (Ontario) and Indigenous Nations. Action toward shared governance rather than consultation would be a clear signal of the government's intention to engage the process of reconciliation.
3. I urge you to acknowledge that bottled water is a non-essential use of shared waters with many negative ecological and health impacts. Marketing ploys have played a major role in making bottled water a "cool commodity", while most municipalities have perfectly good drinkable tap water.
4. I would encourage transparency about the net profit bottling companies are making, and what is actually paid to the province. I understand that 1/4 penny per litre is the cost - so that minimal amount cannot even help to provide better water infrastructure throughout the province. There is still a major need for potable water in First Nations communities.
5. Water data and capacity to understand the data should be made a priority and be based on watersheds not just political boundaries. Water is a human right, shared commons and sacred gift. No province or community owns water and decisions must consider the needs of all life now and to the 7th generation into the future.
6. In general, permits to bottle water should only be necessary where communities are deprived of potable drinking water. Larger containers of water should be made available so that re-useable personal water containers will eliminate the profusion of plastic, which causes ecological strain on the environment and is toxic to human and animal health as well.
Thank you for receiving my suggestions.
Loretta Manzara
Executive Director
Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada