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From World Water Day - March 22

The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro.

The United Nations General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water by adopting a resolution.This world day for water was to be observed starting in 1993, in conformity with the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development contained in chapter 18 (Fresh Water Resources) of Agenda 21.

States were invited to devote the Day to implement the UN recommendations and set up concrete activities as deemed appropriate in the national context.

The Subcommittee welcomes the assistance offered by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre to contribute to an information network centre in support of the observance of the Day by Governments, as required.

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From Rabble.ca

Send a message to Ottawa on World Water Day

by Susan Howatt
March 21, 2008

March 22 was designated World Water Day in 1992, at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, to raise awareness about the importance of preserving global water resources. Since then, communities, organizations and activists around the world have come together every year on March 22 to highlight water struggles and the need for clean, accessible, public water for everyone.

Water is our most precious gift and is essential to all life. But the world is on the brink of a global water crisis, as scarcity, pollution and globalization mean that more and more people do not have access to clean drinking water.

Here in Canada, there are many threats to our water. Communities across the country have faced shortages, water companies are working to privatize our services, and there is growing pressure to treat water as a commodity and sell it on the open market. Canada is the only country in the world to have voted against the right to water at the United Nations.

This year, to celebrate World Water Day, the Council of Canadians joined forces with our friends and allies at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Oxfam Canada and the Polaris Institute to organize events across the country to under the them "Water for People, Not for Profit."

The Council of Canadians, CUPE, Oxfam Canada and the Polaris Institute are also proud launch an online action to send a strong message to Prime Minister Harper that Canada's water supply must be protected.

This week, almost 50 communities across Canada celebrated World Water Day from St. John's to Victoria with panel discussions, film screenings of the NFB documentary Dead in the Water, and a lobbying day to demand a national water policy for Canada. In Ottawa, we braved the freezing rain to march to Parliament Hill on March 19 carrying a banner that read Water for Life, Not for Profit!

This March 22, World Water Day, send a message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and your Member of Parliament calling on them to support the right to water. To support our World Water Day action - Tell PM Harper 'Water is for people, not profit' visit http://www.RightToWater.ca and sign our letter.

This letter makes clear our opposition to bulk water exports and privatization of water, and demands that Canada live up to its international commitments and recognize safe drinking water as a fundamental human right.

To learn more about water issues in Canada or to find a local event near you, visit the website of the Council of Canadians (http://canadians.org/WorldWaterDay).

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Keewaytinook Okimakanak (K-Net) presents at

INAC National Circuit Rider Training Program Workshop - March 11, 12 - Toronto

K-Net staff (Brian Beaton) presented information about the provincial and national videoconferencing network along with the First Nations SchoolNet Program (Suzanne Lebeau).

Material made available at this gathering included:

• Protocol for Safe Drinking Water in First Nation Communities - Standards for Design, Construction, Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring of Drinking Water Systems http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/h20/sdw/index_e.html
   
• Procedure for addressing DRINKING WATER ADVISORIES in First Nations Communities South of 60 - http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnih-spni/pubs/promotion_e.html
   
• DRAFT Protocol for Wastewater Treatment and Disposal in First Nations Communities, Prepared by Professional and Technical Services Unit-INAC, February 2008

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Statement from the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians - World Water Day

Ottawa, ON (March 20, 2008) - With World Water Day quickly approaching on March 22, I thought I would use this opportunity to reflect on the significant progress that the Government of Canada has made in improving First Nation water quality.

Just two years ago, on March 21, 2006, our Government took decisive action to ensure that all First Nations reserves have access to safe drinking water through a Plan of Action for Drinking Water in First Nations Communities.

While there is still much more work to be done, the progress we have achieved in partnership with First Nations across the country is unprecedented. Since forming government, we have reduced the number of high risk First Nation water systems from 193 to 85. As well, only six remain on our original list of 21 priority communities, which means the community has both a high risk water system and a drinking water advisory.

I am confident that this momentum will continue. In Budget 2008, this Government announced an investment of $330 million over two years to improve access to safe drinking water in First Nations communities. Our Government also disclosed in the Budget that we will undertake consultations with First Nations and provincial and territorial governments on the development of a regulatory regime to oversee water quality on reserve.

Finally, in Budget 2008 we revealed that plans are underway to extend the Plan of Action, which will result in an additional 30 to 40 trainers for water and wastewater system operators being hired, nearly doubling the present number of trainers. In addition, we continue to make important investments in the upgrade and construction of new water and wastewater treatment systems in First Nation communities.

A great deal has already been accomplished through hard work and collaborative efforts and we will continue to follow through on our ongoing commitment to improving the lives of First Nations peoples.

For further information please contact:

Minister's Office
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
819-953-1160