Water is a human right. Take action now!

The Council of Canadians is launching an online campaign to pressure Prime Minister Stephen Harper to stand up for the right to water at the United Nations.

Stand up for the right to water today and send a letter to Prime Minister Harper, demanding that the Canadian government support the right to water at the United Nations. Help us send as many letters as possible by World Water Day on March 22, 2008.

MESSAGE:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper:

I am writing to you to demand that you take this opportunity to stand up for the right to water at the United Nations.

There is no denying that we are in the midst of a global water crisis. Around the world, over 1.2 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water and this number is rising, while another 4 billion lack adequate sanitation services. In some parts of the global south, a child dies every 15 seconds due to easily preventable water-related diseases

Everyone deserves the right to clean, safe, publicly-accessible water. That’s why I am urging you to reverse the position that Canada took at the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2002 and again in 2003, where Canada was the only country to vote against resolutions on the human right to water.

Canada’s lack of action on the right to water has become a source of international embarrassment, having earned rebukes from Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Miloon Kothari, the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing.

The international movement for the establishment of a right to water is growing. Across the globe, civil society groups, individuals and their communities are taking up the issue as a rallying cry. Thanks to collaborative efforts of vibrant social movements, an increasing number of countries, especially in the global south, have officially stated their support for the establishment of the right to water. Consequently, Canada's position on the right to water is has attracted negative attention from the international community.

As a supporter of the Council of Canadians, I call on you to declare the government's support for water as a human right at the United Nations. This small step would have a huge impact on the lives of billions of people around the world. Everyone deserves the right to clean, public and accessible water and sanitation.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

* A copy of this letter will be sent to your MP.

* After submitting your letter, scroll to bottom of page for confirmation.