It makes no difference…

It makes no difference whether it is Nestlé or BlueTriton or some other company applying for a permit to take water out of Ontario for bottling, the issues remain the same and BlueTriton should not be allowed to hide behind the name change from that of Nestlé.

The public is very aware of the struggle against Nestlé's water take, not only in Canada but also in several other countries, and it seems that BlueTriton believes that we won't notice the name change from Nestlé to BlueTriton.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy Council issued a cease-and-desist order two years ago to stop Nestlé from taking water. By requesting the permit and making plans to continue the water take, BlueTriton is ignoring Indigenous sovereignty, just as Nestlé has done. This is disrespectful of the First Nations sovereignty, and the taking of water from their land is a violation of their order.

Many First Nations communities across Canada are on boiled water advisories because their drinking water is unsafe. Auditor General Karen Hogan found a year ago that 60 advisories were in effect in 41 First Nations communities and that some communities wouldn't be able to get clean water out of their taps for many years. She told a press conference in Ottawa: "I am very concerned and honestly disheartened that this longstanding issue is still not resolved. Access to safe drinking water is a basic human necessity. I don't believe anyone would say that this is in any way an acceptable situation in Canada in 2021."

While this disgraceful situation continues, as it has done for decades, BlueTriton should not be permitted to take clean water from Indigenous lands and bottle it for profit. It is nothing short of insulting to take clean water from First Nations land, bottle it, and sell it to people in urban areas who already have clean tap water while First Nations remain on water advisories.

I urge you not to approve BlueTritons application for a water take permit.